By Ian Holmes

Nanaimo man connected to massive Utah meth bust

Feb 24, 2017 | 2:47 PM

NANAIMO — A man allegedly responsible for what’s believed to be one of Utah’s largest meth busts has been identified as a Nanaimo man.

Documents sent to NanaimoNewsNOW from the United States Department of Justice (USDJ) in Salt Lake City confirmed Blake Arcand, 57, was arrested last Aug. 16 and charged with possessing drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

It’s alleged Arcand had nearly 68 lbs. of crystal meth inside the rental car he was driving.

Arcand plead not guilty last Sept. 1 and remains in custody.

He faces a minimum ten-year prison sentence if convicted, according to the USDJ.

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Due to the seriousness of the allegations against Arcand, his case was moved from State to Federal prosecutors.

The indictment report indicates Arcand was pulled over on Interstate-15 in Salt Lake County last August for following another vehicle too closely.

According to the indictment report, Arcand was asked if “he had any large sums of money, any firearms or any cocaine, heroin, meth or marijuana in the car. Officer Stone (Unified Police Department) noted that Arcand looked at him in the eyes when he asked him about the cocaine and heroin but looked away when he asked him about meth and marijuana.”

The report stated Arcand appeared extremely nervous when answering questions from officer Stone. Arcand told him he’d flown to Los Angeles, CA, rented a car and was on his way to North Dakota, according to the report.

A suitcase in the trunk contained multiple packages holding a crystal like substance, which later tested positive for crystal meth, according to the indictment report.

A hearing for Arcand is scheduled for April 17 in a Salt Lake City court on the defense motion before a judge to suppress the evidence against him, according to the USDJ.

Arcand’s lawyer is arguing his client’s detention is illegal and all evidence must be thrown out.

The motion and defense-led hearing on April 17 is described as routine by the USDJ.

ian.holmes@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @reporterholmes