Two men convicted for trafficking $390,000 of cocaine through Nebraska

A search of the vehicle revealed 28 pounds of cocaine in the vehicle's spare tire.

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Two men from out of state were convicted on Thursday for trafficking cocaine through Nebraska in a spare tire.

In February 2021, Michael Aponte, 32, of Syracuse, New York, was driving when Douglas County Deputies stopped the vehicle.

Rawy Correa-Perez, 31, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was a passenger in the vehicle.

During the traffic stop, officers noticed several indicators of criminal behavior, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office.

Deputies then sent Bezos, a drug detection canine, who detected narcotics in the vehicle.

A search revealed 28 pounds of cocaine in the vehicle’s spare tire.

Data collected from Correra-Perez and Aponte’s phones contained photographs consistent with the drug trade.

The cocaine was valued at $390,000, according to special agents,

Aponte and Correa-Perez were arrested for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.

Aponte and Correa-Perez are facing a term of imprisonment of at least ten years to life for each count.  There is no parole in the federal system.