Barenaked Ladies singer Steven Page plans to fight drug charges against him, according to a statement posted on the band's website.
Police said Page had about one-third of an ounce of cocaine when he was arrested on Friday in Fayetteville. N.Y., located about 15 kilometres east of Syracuse. Police allege they also found marijuana.
The statement posted by the Toronto-based band says "the validity of the charges against Steven will be strongly contested."
"We want to thank our loyal fans for their continued support during this difficult time. We will continue to perform and look forward to heading into the studio later this year to record a new album."
The New York state police who arrested the musician said the white powder they seized from him tested positive for the drug. When they questioned him about the substance, he reportedly said, "Yeah, it's cocaine," the documents show.
The 38-year-old Toronto resident -- known for his goofy, good-guy image -- is scheduled for a New York court appearance on Aug. 26.
BNL manager Terry McBride said the group's business will continue as usual until then, and that he expects Page to be "completely exonerated."
The singer has pleaded not guilty to the charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance. He was released from jail on US$10,000 bail.
If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison.
Police also took a 25-year-old woman, Stephanie Ford, into custody. Police said they noticed the pair while inspecting a nearby car with an open driver's side door.
"In investigating the suspicious vehicle, officers observed a man and woman seated at a kitchen table inside apartment 1 with an unknown white capsule in front of them," said a press released by the Manlius, N.Y., Police Department.
In her statement to police, Ford said she and Page had been using a rolled-up Canadian bill to snort the substance. She said Page had several capsules of the substance in a bottled bearing a label that said "calcium."
Police arrested Page's girlfriend, 27-year-old Christine Benedicto, hours later. She also faces drug charges.
Earlier that evening, Page and Benedicto had been arguing at a local bar, stated Ford.
Ford said she stopped Page from driving back to Canada by following him back to her apartment and sitting on him. Benedicto arrived later, confiscated Page's keys and left with his car, the statement said.
The Juno-winning Barenaked Ladies first achieved fame in the early 1990s with their hit song "If I Had $1000000." Page formed the group in the late 1980s with Ed Robertson in Scarborough, Ont. The band recently released a children's album called "Snack Time."
Page, a father of three, was scheduled to perform at a children's event in New York in August.
With files from The Canadian Press
