Troopers find 169 LBs of cocaine after suspect abandons vehicle

A California man was taken into custody by Nebraska State Patrol following a January 13 incident in Aurora, Neb.

January 20, 2026Updated: January 20, 2026
News Channel NebraskaBy News Channel Nebraska

AURORA, Neb.  -- Nebraska State Patrol Troopers located nearly 170 pounds of cocaine and arrested one person

The arrest followed an incident in central Nebraska last week.

In the late evening of Tuesday, January 13, a trooper observed a suspicious person at a gas station at the Aurora interchange, at mile marker 332 on Interstate 80. When the trooper attempted to contact the man, the man abandoned his vehicle and ran off.

Troopers searched the area with assistance from the Aurora Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office. While the search was ongoing, an NSP K-9 detected the odor of a controlled substance coming from the man’s vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed 169 pounds of cocaine contained in large duffel bags, as well as 89 grams of heroin.

After several hours of searching, an NSP K-9 was able to track the suspect to a location south of I-80, about one-half mile away from the gas station, where the suspect was taken into custody. He was identified as Manjot Singh, 25, of Sacramento, California.

Singh was arrested for possession of cocaine, possession with intent to deliver, and obstructing a peace officer. He was lodged in Hamilton County Jail.

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