Whitefish man accused of making meth

A 30-year-old Whitefish man will be arraigned Aug. 24 at Flathead District Court for two felony counts of operation of an unlawful clandestine laboratory and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Zachary Matthew Gargasz, 30, is currently detained at Flathead County Detention Center on $30,000 bond.

According to court documents, Kalispell Police Department was dispatched to a Blanchard Lake Road residence after Gargasz was reportedly in the home unlawfully on March 20. Gargasz was arrested following an on-scene investigation. He then allegedly asked a deputy to get a coat from his vehicle. The deputy searched the coat for weapons before giving it to Gargasz and reportedly found a syringe. A K-9 unit allegedly alerted officers to illegal drugs inside Gargasz’ vehicle.

The Northwest Drug Task Force then obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which allegedly turned up several items indicative of the production of methamphetamine such as: a mason jar containing an unknown liquid with sediment, bottles of drain cleaner, a baggie containing suspected ammonium nitrate, baggies containing an unknown substance, a baggie with residue, a funnel, a bottle of Coleman brand fuel and a meth pipe. Montana State Crime Lab tested the items and concluded that it was consistent with substances used to manufacture meth. At least one of the baggies allegedly tested positive for meth.

Law enforcement also checked the National Precursor Log Exchange, which shows sales of over-the-counter cold and allergy medications containing pseudoephedrine, a main ingredient in the manufacture of meth. The exchange showed Gargasz had purchased ephedrine/pseudoephedrine on 26 occasions over 10 months court documents stated.

Law enforcement had additional contact with Gargasz when on March 25 he was arrested and searched after allegedly shoplifting a coat from Sportsman and Ski Haus. An officer reportedly found a “bindle bag” containing a small amount of what was later confirmed as meth, in addition to two debit cards belonging to other individuals in his wallet.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.