The city of Haleyville's new K-9 Arlo does a practice search after the Jan. 20, city council meeting. The dog was responsible for alerting to a major amount of drugs at a recent traffic stop. Shown with Arlo is K-9 Officer Daniel Revilla, Behind him, from left, Investigator Austin Lewis, Officer Allen Abbott, Fire Chief Jeff Postell and Sgt. Tim Harris.
HALEYVILLE - A Haleyville woman is facing several drug-related charges after the city’s newly trained K-9 officer, Arlo, assisted in locating a significant amount of methamphetamine in her vehicle during a recent traffic stop.
Beverly Ann Hallmark, 50, has been charged with unauthorized possession with an intent to distribute, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, one count of possession of drug paraphernalia and one count of certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm, due to several previous felony convictions, according to Haleyville Police Chief Rodney Lewis.
“It’s a pretty sizeable bust for here,” Lewis pointed out. “It’s always good when you can get drugs off the street. We had enough to charge her with intent to distribute, based off the amount she had.”
Hallmark was taken into custody at a traffic stop on Newburg Road by police officers, after K-9 Sgt. Daniel Revilla and Arlo came on the scene and Arlo reacted to controlled substances at the driver’s door of the black full-size SUV Hallmark had been driving, Lewis said.
Revilla and the German Shepherd Arlo came on the scene to assist officer Heath Self, who made the traffic stop around 5:10 p.m. January 17, for failure to use a safety belt, Lewis said.
Police had described Hallmark as a person of interest related to possible illegal controlled substance activity in a case police had been following for some time, the chief added.
The bust was the first for Arlo, since both the dog and Revilla were certified and trained about two weeks ago, according to city officials.
“We had suspected this person to have illegal substances in her possession for some time now,” Lewis stated.
The black SUV in the traffic stop matched the description of a vehicle with damage on its front that police had been observing related to possible illegal drug activity, Lewis explained.
“We respond (with) two officers to every traffic stop,” Lewis added. “So Sgt. Revilla was already en route to his location. Officer Self and Sgt. Revilla are partners on night shift.”
After Hallmark received a ticket for no seat belt, she was asked for a consent to search the vehicle, according to Lewis.
“The driver was hesitant to give consent,” he said. This resulted in Revilla and Arlo doing what police termed a free air search around the vehicle, with Arlo alerting to the driver’s door, the police chief confirmed.
Arlo has a passive alert when finding narcotics, according to Lewis.
“Sgt. Revilla asked the driver if there was any contraband in the vehicle and the offender stated no to him,“ said Lewis.
Arlo’s alert to drugs at the driver’s side door gave police probable cause to search the vehicle, finding two black bags inside the vehicle--one bag in the dash where the radio had been removed, with the other bag found in the area of the driver’s seat, police said.
Officer confiscated three bags of meth - four grams of meth, 3.22 grams of meth and 3.97 grams of meth - each, all in crystal form, Lewis said.
Police also seized 5 1/2 orange pills believed to be buprenorphine hydrochloride, two white hydrocodone pills, suboxone strips, glass pipes, scales and a loaded Smith and Wesson nine-millimeter pistol, police said.
Police also seized from the vehicle about $2,200 in cash, which they believed to be proceeds from illegal drug sales, according to Lewis.
Hallmark was taken into custody at the scene, transported to the Haleyville Police Department then transferred to the Winston County Jail in Double Springs, Lewis said.
Lewis noted the City of Haleyville has not had a K-9 officer since 2009, due to the K-9 officer at the time retiring because of health issues, police said.
Referring to the drug bust made thanks to Arlo, Lewis added, “This is the first of many we’re going to get.
“If you’re moving illegal drugs in Haleyville, we’re going to catch you,” Lewis warned.
“The K-9 is just another tool for us to use,” the chief added. “It’s going to make our community better.”
The city of Haleyville paid $11,000 for Arlo, including the costs of the dog as well as certification and training for both the dog and Sgt. Revilla, Lewis confirmed.
*When a defendant is charged with a crime, the charge is merely an accusation until or unless proven guilty in a court of law.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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