Firearms, Controlled Substances Located in Narcotics Investigation

JULY 18, 2024 (KEARNEY, NEB.)  — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol, with assistance of the NSP SWAT Team and the TRIDENT and CODE Task Forces, have arrested multiple people after locating numerous firearms and controlled substances this morning in an ongoing narcotics investigation.

This morning, the NSP SWAT Team and the TRIDENT Task Force performed a search warrant at a residence in the 2500 block of 8th Avenue in Kearney. During the search, investigators located 12 firearms, approximately 11 pounds of marijuana, 1 gram of cocaine, 4 pounds of THC wax concentrate, and 4 dozen psilocybin mushroom candy bars.  The investigation linked the involved suspects to a secondary location in Funk.

In a coordinated effort, the CODE Task Force served a simultaneous search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of Main Street in Funk. During the search, investigators located an additional five firearms and a small amount of marijuana products and psilocybin mushrooms. One of the residents, Dakota Hancock, 29, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a controlled substance. He was lodged in the Phelps County Jail.

Investigators subsequently located the Kearney resident, Shane Martin, 36, at his place of employment and placed him under arrest. Martin was lodged in the Buffalo County Jail for possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute within a school zone and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

NSP was assisted by the UNK Police Department and other TRIDENT Task Force agencies, including the Kearney Police Department, Minden Police Department, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI. The CODE Task Force includes officers from several police agencies in southwest and west-central Nebraska.