BUFFALO COUNTY, Neb. -- Two men from California were sentenced to prison more than seven years each for meth charges. 

Acting U.S. Attorney Steven Russell announced that 26-year-old Hector Diaz Perez, of California, was sentenced on Oct. 21, 2022, by the U.S. District Court Judge to a term of 83 months in prison following his conviction for possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine actual, with the intent to distribute.

After he completes his prison sentence, Diaz Perez will also serve five years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

Court documents said on Jan. 8, 2020, Diaz Perez, along with Abel Perez Valdivia, were traveling east on Interstate 80 in Buffalo County when they were stopped by a trooper with the Nebraska State Patrol for driving onto the shoulder twice.

The two gave conflicting stories about where they were going.

Diaz Perez gave troopers consent to search the truck.

Troopers then found 10 packages of methamphetamine concealed in the dash. The packages of meth were sent to the NSP Crime lab where they tested positive for meth, one of the 10 packages was tested for purity, and it contained at least 420 grams meth actual.

Perez Valdivia, of California, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Sept. 2 to 87 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Central Nebraska Drug and Safe Streets Task Force.