Two Lincoln women were arrested after investigators recovered nearly 49,000 fentanyl pills and other drugs during a traffic stop and subsequent home search in Lancaster County.
The Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force, along with the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Criminal Interdiction Unit, conducted the traffic stop on a 2018 brown Chevy Equinox on Tuesday around 5:30 p.m. near NW 48th Street along Interstate 80. This stop was part of an ongoing narcotics investigation.
With the help of a sheriff’s K-9, probable cause was established, and a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of approximately 26,000 suspected fentanyl pills, 11 methylphenidate pills, THC products, paraphernalia, and cash.
The driver, 39-year-old Mallory Chartraw, and her passenger, 41-year-old Maria Siemsen, both of Lincoln, were arrested and taken into custody. Authorities later executed a search warrant at Chartraw’s home, uncovering another 23,000 suspected fentanyl pills, psilocybin mushrooms, and more drug paraphernalia.
Officials estimate the street value of the seized fentanyl pills to be more than $976,000. Court documents indicate that the women obtained the fentanyl from New Mexico, making several trips to acquire the large quantity of drugs.
Both Chartraw and Siemsen face multiple felony charges. During their arraignment on Wednesday, Chartraw’s bond was set at 10% of $1 million, and Siemsen’s bond was set at 10% of $750,000. The women are due back in court on May 15.
