Meth arrest leads to stolen property

Walton County Sheriff’s Investigators served a search warrant Feb. 4 at Billy Ray Blane’s home on Walton County Highway 183 South, several miles outside of Ponce de Leon. The raid resulted in thousands of dollars worth of items taken in several burglaries over recent months. Sheriff’s investigators found everything from stolen lawn equipment to laptop computers.

In January, a six-day manhunt for Blane ended peacefully with his arrest at a residence south of DeFuniak Springs. He is the key figure in “Operation Valley View” which got underway last April. It targeted those who manufacture and distribute crystal-methamphetamine.

Blane is reportedly a meth cook and helped organize several of the suspects in the purchase of the chemicals needed in the manufacture of the highly addictive narcotic.  The Walton County Sheriff’s Office was able to track thousands of dollars worth of stolen property to Blane’s home. The 55-year-old suspect remains behind bars at the Walton County Jail on a $100,000 bond for a host of drug related charges. Additional charges are now expected from this recent discovery of the stolen property.

Walton County Sheriff Michael A. Adkinson, Jr. congratulated his staff for their due diligence in uncovering the stolen property. Sheriff’s investigators are in the process of doing an inventory and contacting the owners of the items.