OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say they have broken up a branch of a Mexican drug cartel dealing methamphetamine in the Omaha area. Police announced Tuesday the arrests of 20 people associated with the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico following an 18-month investigation.

The Omaha Police Department and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency deployed investigators who received tips that a woman in charge of a sizeable methamphetamine ring was operating near Omaha. The investigation led officials to the source of the supply in California and the discovery of Nebraska and Iowa customers, who bought the methamphetamine and resold it in smaller amounts.

Authorities say they gathered about 12.5 pounds of methamphetamine and more than $35,000. Most are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, an offense that could mean 20 years to life in prison.

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) — A northwest Iowa woman has been convicted of charges she pretended to be a nurse to obtain prescription drugs to sell. Police say 30-year-old Kayleen Leedahl, of Royal, pleaded guilty to three counts of felony obtaining or attempting to obtain a prescription drug by deceit. Court documents say she will also pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts of the same charge.

Police and court documents state Leedahl posed as a nurse over a nearly four month period in 2013. The Sioux City Journal reports Leedahl will be sentenced to 10 years in prison as part of her plea agreement. A sentencing hearing has been set for March 30.

The Glenwood Police Department reports the arrest today (Tuesday), of 53-year old Debra Decair. The Glenwood woman was arrested on a Mills County warrant for OWI 1st offense. Authorities say her bond was set at $1000.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – An Iowa State researcher plans to test genetically modified bananas on a group of students at the university, though some people have expressed concerns about the nature of the study.
Wendy White, a food science professor leading the study, will put 12 women on a diet including regular bananas and bananas infused with a gene to aid Vitamin A production. They’ll follow the diet for four days during three study periods.

The Des Moines Register reports volunteers will also undergo blood tests to gage how their bodies react. Participants will be paid $900. White says the ultimate goal of the study is to help increase Vitamin A consumption in Africa. Dave Schubert, a California scientist, says he’s concerned about feeding the modified fruit to humans before an animal trial.

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AP) – An eastern Iowa man battling terminal cancer has died amid his fight to grow medicinal marijuana for his personal use. Dottie Mackenzie confirmed Tuesday that her 49-year-old son Benton Mackenzie died early Monday at his Long Grove, Iowa, home.

Benton Mackenzie had been growing marijuana to create medicinal oil he could both consume and apply to his tumors. He and his wife, Loretta Mackenzie, were convicted in 2014 for conspiring to grow marijuana. The trial garnered national attention.

The Quad-City Times reports the entire family has faced prosecution, including his parents who received misdemeanor counts for hosting a drug house. Those charges were eventually dropped. Dottie MacKenzie says she has found peace with the situation and her son’s death.