Troopers and investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have found methamphetamine and cocaine after a traffic stop in Cherry County led to a narcotics investigation, NSP spokesman Cody Thomas said Wednesday, Aug. 26.

In the late evening of Tuesday, Aug. 18, a trooper saw a Cadillac sedan speeding on U.S. Highway 83 near Valentine. During the stop, the trooper became suspicious of criminal activity.

Thomas said a Valentine police dog indicated the odor of a controlled substance in the vehicle. The trooper and officer searched the vehicle and found more than 100 grams of suspected methamphetamine.

The driver, James Zacher, 57, of Oakland, Calif. was charged with meth possession and possession with intent to deliver and taken to the Cherry County jail.

NSP investigators obtained a search warrant for the Valentine motel room in which Zacher had been staying. On the next day, troopers and police officers searched the room and found more than five pounds of suspected methamphetamine as well as 17 grams of suspected cocaine, plus drug paraphernalia, Thomas said.

The street value of that amount of meth ranges from $15,000-35,000, depending on where it is sold and its quality, according to a check of internet sources.

Thomas said the investigation is ongoing.

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