Nov. 04--An Earl Township mobile home that was raided last month as part of a six-month drug investigation was destroyed by fire early Sunday.
The blaze started about 3 a.m. at the mobile home in the first block of Power Line Road, authorities said.
The mobile home caved into itself as firefighters arrived at the scene, said Earl Township Fire Company Chief Michael Marburger.
Fire companies from Amity, Oley, Boyertown and New Berlinville assisted for about two and a half hours, Marburger said.
The fire is under investigation by the state police fire marshal, Marburger said.
Officials from the state police could not be reached.
On Oct. 25, Michael A. Bentz, 47, was arrested in the mobile home after a six-month investigation by detectives from Berks and Montgomery counties.
He was charged with possession with intent to deliver marijuana -- almost 3 pounds of which were seized -- and also methamphetamine and psilocybin mushrooms, which were found in much smaller quantities, officials said.
The investigation began in May when narcotics detectives with the Montgomery County district attorney's office learned Bentz was selling drugs in both counties, officials said.
Montgomery detectives then teamed with the Berks drug task force to make undercover drug buys from Bentz.
The high-quality marijuana that was seized sells for $3,800 a pound on the street, or up to $400 an ounce, officials said.
Bentz was released after posting $25,000 bail on Oct. 26, according to court documents.
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