Woman had 5-year-old in SUV while hauling $2.2 million in meth, Seward County deputies say

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — An Illinois woman was transporting a large amount of methamphetamine in the same vehicle as a small child, Seward County deputies say.

About 1 p.m., a deputy pulled over an SUV on Interstate 80 near Pleasant Dale for a traffic violation, according to the Seward County Sheriff’s Office.

Maria Diaz

Courtesy: Seward County Sheriff's Office

The sheriff’s office said the driver, 50-year-old Maria Diaz, was traveling with a 5-year-old child.

The deputy suspected something criminal was going on and asked to search the vehicle, authorities said.

The search uncovered 62 pounds of meth, which the sheriff’s office said is worth more than $2.2 million.

Diaz was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and intentional child abuse.

The 5-year-old was turned over to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.