During the Evening hours of Thursday, 03/24/2022 officers with the Huntsville Police Department with the assistance of deputies with the Walker County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on IH-45 in the area of the 112 mile marker for a traffic violation.  As the investigating officer approached the driver of the vehicle, he could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.  The vehicle was occupied by the driver, Alvaro Ortiz-Beltran, and a passenger, Peter Bellos.  As a result of their investigation, the officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle.  During their search the officers located a large amount of marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle.  Officers also located a pistol in the vehicle.  Ultimately, the officers arrested both Ortiz-Beltran and Bellos with Possession of Marijuana.  

After placing the suspects in custody, officers were able to weigh the marijuana and found the weight to be 45 pounds. Both Ortiz-Beltran and Bellos were charged with Felony 3rd Degree Possession of Marijuana due to the total weight of the marijuana.  Additionally, Bellos was charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon which is a Misdemeanor A.

A 3rd Degree Felony carries a possible punishment of 2 years to 10 years imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and a possible fine of up to $10,000.   A Misdemeanor A carries a possible punishment of up to 1 year in jail and a possible fine of up to $4000.

Chief Kevin Lunsford said, “We are always happy to get drugs off our streets and highways, especially this amount.  We are proud to have such a good working relationship with the Walker County Sheriff’s Office so that we can collaborate in keeping the citizens of Huntsville and Walker County safe."