Executive Summary
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security investigators dismantled a trafficking ring in Omaha after a multi-year probe.
- Authorities rescued 10 victims of labor trafficking and seized 44 pounds of methamphetamine valued at up to $1.5 million.
- Suspect Miguel Salazar-Zuniga allegedly used his 5-year-old child as a human shield during the police raid.
- Jason Pemberton was sentenced to 25 years in prison, while Salazar-Zuniga awaits sentencing on immigration charges and trial for drug offenses.
OMAHA, Neb. — A multi-year joint investigation by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has culminated in the dismantling of a major drug and human trafficking operation in Omaha. Authorities announced the rescue of ten victims and the seizure of narcotics with an estimated street value exceeding $1 million.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the inquiry began in 2023 when the Special Operations Group launched a probe into local drug distribution networks. This initial phase resulted in the arrest of 51-year-old Jason Pemberton in January 2024. Sheriff Aaron Hanson reported that investigators discovered 44 pounds of methamphetamine, 131 grams of MDMA, and a quantity of psilocybin mushrooms in Pemberton’s possession. Sheriff Hanson estimated the value of the seized methamphetamine at approximately $1 million to $1.5 million, characterizing it as a significant disruption to local supply lines.
Following this seizure, investigators continued to track the supply chain, leading them to Miguel Salazar-Zuniga in May 2025. Authorities allege Salazar-Zuniga served as a supplier with direct connections to a Mexican drug cartel. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence near 34th and Fort Streets, which investigators identified as the suspect’s base of operations.
Sheriff Hanson stated that the search revealed the location was being used for both narcotics distribution and human trafficking. Ten individuals—five men and five women—were discovered and rescued from the home. The victims, identified as Mexican and Colombian nationals, were reportedly being trafficked to perform forced labor in the construction and cleaning industries.
During the tactical entry into the home, Sheriff Hanson alleged that Salazar-Zuniga used his 5-year-old child as a human shield. The suspect surrendered to law enforcement shortly thereafter, and the child was safely recovered and returned to his mother. Sheriff Hanson cited the incident as a stark indicator of the “lack of regard for human life” associated with cartel-connected actors.
Regarding the legal adjudication of the case, federal court records indicate that Jason Pemberton pleaded guilty to a federal drug conspiracy charge and has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Miguel Salazar-Zuniga has pleaded guilty to charges of encouraging or inducing illegal entry and is scheduled for sentencing on December 16. He is also set to face trial in a separate drug-related case.
Investigative Implications and Public Safety
The successful dismantling of this operation underscores the increasing complexity of transnational criminal activity embedding itself within residential American neighborhoods. Sheriff Hanson emphasized that the convergence of narcotics trafficking and labor exploitation presents a dual threat to community safety. The operation also highlights the critical role of public vigilance, as authorities noted that signs such as high-volume short-term traffic and the social isolation of occupants can indicate criminal enterprises. It is important to note that while guilty pleas have been entered in specific charges, all individuals facing pending legal proceedings are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
