ST. JOSEPH – A Berrien Springs man was arrested Monday night after a search warrant was executed for suspected illegal drug activity at his residence.

Richard Allen Collier, 50, of 5997 Snyder Road, is charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, maintaining a drug house and possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.

The Berrien County Sheriff’ Office’s Narcotics Unit, with assistance from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office’s Road Patrol, executed a search warrant at 7:45 p.m. for illegal narcotics at 5997 Snyder Road following a week-long investigation into suspected narcotic activity at this residence.

At the time of the search warrant execution, Collier was located inside of the residence.

During the execution of the search warrant, officers located 89 live mature marijuana plants.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), a mature marijuana plant is capable of producing $1,000 worth of marijuana.

Officers also seized approximately $4,000 worth of processed marijuana as well as other evidence of illegal narcotic trafficking.
Officers also located and seized two firearms from inside this residence.

Under Michigan’s civil forfeiture law, officers seized $341 in cash and miscellaneous pieces of lighting fixtures, which were used in the indoor manufacturing of marijuana.

Officers also seized a 1995 Chevrolet Blazer under the civil forfeiture law.

Collier was lodged at the Berrien County Jail pending his arriagnment in Berrien County Trial Courts.