Seward County deputies seize 170 pounds of marijuana in traffic stop

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A Columbus man was arrested Wednesday after 170 pounds of marijuana was found in his car.

A Seward County deputy pulled over Ryan Marquart, 35, for a traffic violation around noon, according to officials.

During the traffic stop, the deputy became “increasingly suspicious” of criminal activity and asked to search the vehicle, the Seward County Sheriff’s Office said.

Marquart refused, so the deputy had a drug dog smell the car.

The dog detected drugs, the sheriff’s office said, allowing the deputy to search the car without Marquart’s consent.

Officials said they found 170 pounds of marijuana within the car.

It was determined that Marquart was taking the drugs to Elkhorn.

Marquart was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and lodged in the Seward County Jail.

Seward County deputies said this is the third seizure of marijuana destined for Elkhorn in the last year.