Billings man appears on drug charges

BILLINGS – A Billings man accused of possessing 45 pounds of methamphetamine for distribution appeared today in federal court, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

Lane Demarais, 45, is charged by complaint with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of ten years, a maximum term of life, a fine of up to $10 million, and at least five years of supervised release.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Timothy Cavan presided and Demarais was detained pending further proceedings.

The affidavit in support of the complaint alleges that on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Eastern Montana HIDTA drug task force (EMHIDTA) served several search warrants in Billings and Laurel. The coordinated effort resulted in the seizure of several firearms, over $31,000 in cash, and approximately 45 pounds of methamphetamine in individually wrapped one-pound packages.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Rubich is prosecuting the case. The investigation is being conducted by the EMHIDTA, which includes agents and officers from the FBI, DEA, Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Billings Police Department, Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office, and Montana Department of Corrections Probation and Parole. Service of the search warrants included assistance from the Billings Police Department Street Crimes Unit, SWAT Team, and Drone Team, the Laurel Police Department, and the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office TRT.

The charging document is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

PACER case reference. 26-19.

The progress of cases may be monitored through the U.S. District Court Calendar and the PACER system. To establish a PACER account, which provides electronic access to review documents filed in a case, please visit http://www.pacer.gov/register.html. To access the District Court’s calendar, please visit https://ecf.mtd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/PublicCalendar.pl.