Union College professor arrested after authorities find package filled with drugs from UK

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – A Union Adventist University professor was arrested after authorities in New York intercepted a package filled with drugs.

Investigators with the Lincoln/Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force arrested 45-year-old Benjamin Tyner on Wednesday. He faces one count of intent to deliver a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Customs and Border Patrol at JFK Airport in New York City flagged a package from Sheffield, United Kingdom, on October 30. The package appeared to contain licorice, but authorities discovered a bag containing 63.4 grams of Ecstasy pills inside.

Authorities in Lincoln were alerted to the package by a Homeland Security special agent on Nov. 11. According to the affidavit, the package was intended for Tyner to a home in Lincoln. The package arrived at investigators on November 4th and was taken into evidence.

However, 15 Ecstasy tablets were left at Tyner’s home for a controlled delivery. Investigators, in coordination with the United States Postal Service, left the package in his mailbox on Wednesday. Authorities said Tyner picked up the package around 2:45 p.m. and drove away.

An officer stopped Tyner along South 27th Street and took him into custody. Authorities searched his vehicle and discovered that some of the package contents had been removed. They also found five used meth pipes and a small amount of methamphetamine in the vehicle, according to an affidavit.

Tyner later gave authorities written consent to search his home, and small amounts of cocaine and drug paraphernalia were found in the home, police wrote.

Union Adventist University lists Tyner as program director for politics, history and international relations. It is unclear whether he was fired from the position.

Tyner was arraigned Thursday and his bond was set at 10% of $50,000. His next court date is scheduled for December 3rd.

Click here Subscribe to our daily digest of 10/11 NOW and breaking news delivered straight to your email inbox.

Copyright 2024 COLOGNE. All rights reserved.