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SALT LAKE CITY — A former BYU student who was convicted of drug-related charges, even though he claimed he was making soap in his student apartment, has been charged again with trying to make meth.

This time, he said, it was because he was bored, according to charging documents.

Bryce Cazier, 23, of Salt Lake City, was charged Friday in 3rd District Court with having clandestine laboratory precursors, a first-degree felony. The charges are enhanced because his alleged lab was within 500 feet of both a church and a school.

On May 27, Cazier's co-tenant arrived at their residence, 1928 E. Hillcrest Ave. (2520 South), "and noticed the strong odor of ammonia coming from inside the apartment," according to charging documents. Knowing that Cazier had a history of "cooking meth," she called 911 and then confronted him.

Cazier told her that he was "extracting oils from herbs," the charges state.

As police were questioning Cazier, they reported seeing a list on a table that included, "sulfuric acid, Sudafed, Ice Cold Burst packs and Prestone." He told investigators he was "experimenting with chemicals to make blue colored crystals," the charges state, but then admitted he got "bored and wanted to start cooking meth again so he intentionally made ammonia to prove to himself he had not forgotten how to make meth."

Police found a bread pan in the oven containing a large amount of white powder. When agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration searched the house, they found a recipe for making methamphetamine and a shopping list of ingredients, and numerous precursor items throughout the apartment, according to charging documents.

The latest criminal charges come about a year and a half after Cazier pleaded guilty in 4th District Court to intent to operate a clandestine laboratory, a second-degree felony. He was originally arrested after police suspected he was making methamphetamine inside his student apartment in Provo.

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Ex-BYU student convicted in meth lab case arrested in similar Salt Lake case A former BYU student who originally claimed he was making soap in student housing but was later convicted of intent to operate a clandestine laboratory was arrested Friday for investigation of a similar offense.

Two roommates had reported smelling something burning in his locked bedroom. After he left the apartment the next day, they picked the lock to his room and discovered suspicious glassware and chemicals.

His attorney maintained that Cazier had been making soap, but also made meth as a "chemistry experiment." He said his client was not a meth user and did not have a significant criminal history.

Cazier avoided more serious charges as part of a plea deal and was sentenced to 60 days in jail. Prosecutors at the time said they agreed to recommend jail time instead of prison, partly because Cazier completed a substance abuse treatment program in St. George before his sentencing.

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