Authorities find 20 lbs. of meth in field near Winside; California residents arrested
WINSIDE, Neb. -- Two Los Angeles residents were arrested after state troopers reportedly found over 20 pounds of meth in a field in rural Wayne County.
Residents of rural Winside reported two suspicious individuals at approximately 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, telling authorities that the individuals were reportedly going through their property.
Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol responded and contacted both suspects, who were reportedly in possession of a handgun, a stolen cattle prod and suspected methamphetamine.
While confirming the theft of the cattle prod, which had reportedly been taken from another nearby farm, the prod's owner reported finding a bag in a truck where the cattle prod had been stored. Troopers discovered that the bag contained approximately a half pound of suspected methamphetamine.
As the investigation continued, troopers developed information indicating that a large quantity of methamphetamine had been buried in a field near the original scene. Troopers searched the area and located another bag, which contained approximately 20 pounds of suspected methamphetamine and three grams of suspected fentanyl.
The suspects, 36-year-old Oscar Villa and 27-year-old Johana Madrid, were arrested. Villa was lodged in Antelope County Jail for making terroristic threats, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and other charges. Madrid was lodged in Dakota County Jail for possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft.