Two men were arrested on drug charges Sunday, following a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Council Bluffs.  Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker told KJAN News Deputy Brian Miller stopped a Nissan for traveling over the speed limit on I-80 eastbound at the 5-mile marker at around 4:30-p.m., Sunday. After issuing the driver a warning citation, Miller spoke with the driver, but based upon what he saw in the vehicle, suspected the occupants could be involved in the trafficking of drugs.  Miller requested, but was denied permission to search the vehicle. He then used his K-9 partner “Francisco” to conduct a perimeter search of the vehicle. The dog reacted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, which provided reasonable suspicion and probable cause for Miller to search the vehicle. During the search, the Deputy discovered two garbage bags full of packaged marijuana, amounting to about 45-pounds, in the trunk of the vehicle.

The driver, 43-year old Tou Thao, of Eureka, CA, and his passenger, 32-year old Doua Thao, of Brooklyn Park, MN, were taken into custody. Tou Thao was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver/Marijuana, a Drug Tax Stamp violation, Prohibited Acts, and Excessive Speed. Doua Thao also faces a charge of PCS with the Intent to Deliver, Prohibited Acts, and a Tax Stamp violation. Both men were being held this (Tuesday) morning in the Pottawattamie County Jail, on $100,000 bond each.

Danker said Deputy Miller and his K-9 partner have been “Very Successful” in detecting suspicious drug activity along the Interstate, and “Francisco” has certainly “Earned his keep.”