LINCOLN, Neb. — A man was arrested Friday after investigators said he arranged for a package containing large amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana to be shipped to a Lincoln residence where he had been staying.
According to court records, investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol identified a suspicious package at a Lincoln shipping facility. A search of the package reportedly revealed approximately 453 grams of methamphetamine and 996 grams of marijuana.
At about 2 p.m., an undercover investigator posing as a delivery driver dropped the package outside a home near North 24th and Holdrege streets, according to the arrest affidavit.
Moments later, two men exited the residence. Police said one of them, identified as 52-year-old Juventino Vargas, picked up the package and was immediately taken into custody along with the second man.
During a search, investigators reportedly found a marijuana pipe and a plastic bag containing about 8.5 grams of marijuana in Vargas’ sweatshirt pocket. The second man was questioned and later released.
Vargas told investigators the home belonged to his wife, though he said he did not live there due to an ongoing divorce. His wife later confirmed Vargas had been staying at the home for about a week and gave consent for a search. Police said no additional evidence was found inside the residence.
Vargas was charged with possession of 140 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, and two counts of failure to affix a drug tax stamp.
His bond was set at 10% of $300,000, and his next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 21.
