Ask a police officer, sheriff’s deputy, or trooper the biggest misconception citizens have about their jobs, and most will talk about how there is no such thing as a “routine” call for service.
Officers for the Willcox Police Department can attest to that fact after what might have appeared as an ordinary DUI traffic stop revealed the driver had fabricated a toxic mobile methamphetamine lab in his vehicle.
Benjamin L. Bellows remains in the Cochise County jail after being arrested Jan. 20 for DUI. He has since been charged with multiple felonies related to his drug activities, according to court records obtained by Arizona Daily Independent.
Bellows, who turns 41 this month, came to the attention of Willcox officers shortly after 10:30 a.m. after a local business called to report a man acting and driving erratically. The responding officer observed additional “bad driving behavior” and initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle, which had a New Hampshire license plate.
According to a report by Willcox Det. Marsha Callahan-English, Bellows was put through some field sobriety tests, the results of which indicated he was impaired. Bellows was placed in a patrol car while his vehicle was secured for towing.
And that, Callahan-English noted, is when things took a scary turn. Not because of the meth or drug paraphernalia the officers found, nor the fact Bellows admitted deadly fentanyl had been in the vehicle hours earlier.
The heightened concern was due to the mobile meth lab -complete with chemicals, equipment, and open beakers- in Bellows’ vehicle. Among the chemicals were professional grade drain cleaner, acetone, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and even flat tire sealant which contains a R-134a propellant.
“The search of the vehicle was stopped upon finding the lab,” the report states. It adds that Bellows admitted liking to “mix chemicals.”
The vehicle was transported to the police station and more thoroughly inspected once a search warrant was obtained. A second search warrant had to be secured to draw Bellows’ blood after he refused consent for the procedure.
Bellows is currently charged with four felonies involving the manufacture, transportation, and possession of meth. In Arizona, the manufacture charge is a Class 2 felony, on par with manslaughter, child molestation, and armed robbery.
He is also charged with two misdemeanors stemming from his operation of the vehicle while under the influence. Additional charges could be filed once test results come back from the DPS crime lab, according to court documents.
Court records show Bellows is also the subject of a fugitive warrant issued by the State of New Hampshire in connection with drug charges. The severity and nature of those charges was not available as of press time.
