Abstract: The current invention is a conveyor belt system and a conveyor belt drive roller and method of making in which the drive roller comprises a cylindrical body having a circumference and opposite ends, a plurality of lug grooves in the cylinder located around the circumference of the cylinder and a belt slot in the cylinder located around the circumference of the cylinder. It is preferred that the belt slot is located adjacent the lug grooves and deeper than the lug grooves. It is also preferred that the lug grooves are formed with inverted tapers which deepen towards the belt slot.