Grand Island, Neb. — The Grand Island Police Department seized more than 14 pounds of suspected methamphetamine during an afternoon traffic stop on Tuesday, November 18.
During the stop, an officer observed a vehicle speeding through a residential neighborhood and failing to use a turn signal. Once stopped, the driver produced identification from Florida but did not have a valid driver’s license. Upon vehicle check, the officer discovered it was an overdue rental car out of Michigan.
The driver, identified as 58-year-old Charlie Red of Hialeah, Florida, was taken into custody for No Driver’s License and Speeding. The officer then deployed his K9 partner, Mando, who was recently acquired through generous community donations supporting the GIPD K9 program. K9 Mando alerted the officer to the presence of controlled substances, prompting a search of the vehicle. During the subsequent search, the officer located more than 14 pounds of suspected meth within the passenger compartment and trunk.
This significant seizure demonstrates the critical role police K9s play during patrol operations and highlights the positive impact of ongoing community support for the department’s K9 program. Contributions from residents and local partners have made it possible for GIPD to acquire and train K9 teams that directly support public safety and reduce the presence of illegal narcotics in Grand Island.
