A state trooper found 272 pounds of marijuana inside a truck’s tool box during a traffic stop in Hidalgo County on Wednesday, according to a criminal complaint.
At about 5:46 p.m., a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper conducted a traffic stop on a white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck after he noticed its window tint appeared to be darker than 25 percent, according to the criminal complaint.
The trooper observed the driver, identified as 33-year-old Michael Alvarez of Bishop, showed signs of nervousness and asked for consent to search the truck. Alvarez said no.
Upon conducting record checks, the trooper found that Alvarez’s license was suspended and subsequently arrested Alvarez for driving while license invalid, according to the criminal complaint.
During an inventory of the truck, the trooper “found 27 bundles of marijuana wrapped in plastic in the tool box in the bed of the truck,” according to the criminal complaint. The bundles weighed 272 pounds.
The trooper then arrested the passenger of the truck, identified as 35-year-old Krystle Elizabeth Alvarez of Bishop.
The two were charged with possession of marijuana.
Michael Alvarez was released Friday from the Hidalgo County jail and couldn’t be reached for comment. Krystle Elizabeth Alvarez remained in the Hidalgo County jail Friday and couldn’t be reached for comment.
