The McLennan County Sheriff’s Office reports a 23-year-old man is facing multiple charges after a traffic stop led to the discovery of what was described as a large amount of marijuana and cash in a car.

A Sheriff’s Office spokesman says the car driven by Christopher Dashon Acosta was stopped on northbound I-35 in the 3100 block near the Motel Six in Bellmead.

When the deputy walked up to the car, he detected the strong smell of marijuana and searched the vehicle.

It was noted that it appeared the driver was smoking a marijuana cigarette when stopped.

In addition to the marijuana estimated at 3-1/2 to four pounds, over $11,000 in cash was recovered.

In fact, the inventory indicated deputies found 422 twenty-dollar bills, 20 one-hundred-dollar bills, 9-fifties and numerous smaller bills.

They also recovered a loaded semi-automatic pistol.

Acosta was booked into the McLennan County Jail on charges of possession of marijuana under five pounds, money laundering,  unlawfully carrying a weapon and a separate marijuana possession charge from an outstanding Waco PD warrant.