OVERTON, Neb. -- Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol arrested a California man and seized more than 25 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Dawson County.

At approximately 6:15 p.m., Friday, February 19, a trooper observed a Hyundai Azera fail to stop at a stop sign after exiting Interstate 80 at the Overton interchange, according to a press release issued by the Nebraska State Patrol. During the traffic stop, the trooper said he became suspicious of criminal activity.  

A search of the vehicle revealed 26 packages inside a duffel bag in the trunk, 25 of which contained methamphetamine, with a total weight of 26 pounds. The final package contained 0.3 pounds of pills, suspected to contain fentanyl.

The driver, Octavio Padilla-Garcia, 35, of Los Angeles, California, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, and no drug tax stamp. Padilla-Garcia was lodged in Dawson County Jail.