Shartlesville couple arrested after heroin, fentanyl, meth, stolen handgun seized from home

A Shartlesville couple was arrested after state police and Berks County narcotics investigators raided their home and seized methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl packaged for sale along with a stolen handgun, according to authorities.

Dylan C. Zechman, 26, and Cassandra C. Taft, 24, were taken into custody in their residence in the 5600 block of Old Route 22 in Upper Bern Township on Tuesday, court records state.

They were committed to Berks County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail each following arraignment Tuesday night before Senior District Judge Thomas M. Gauby Sr. in Reading Central Court.

They face charges of possessing and intending to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy and receiving stolen property. Zechman faces additional firearms charges.

According to the probable cause affidavit:

About 11:30 a.m., members of the state police and the Berks County district attorney’s drug task force arrived at the home to serve a search warrant. Taft answered the door and said her boyfriend, Zechman, was upstairs.

Both were taken into custody.

During the search of the residence, officers found about 9 ounces of methamphetamine, and 109 baggies of fentanyl-laced heroin, along with about $4,000 and a .38-caliber revolver that was reported stolen two weeks ago by North Lebanon Township police in Lebanon County.

Also seized were three digital scales and packaging materials.

Zechman is prohibited from having a firearm due to a felony burglary conviction in 2011.

Because the drugs were in the residence mutually shared by the couple, Taft was charged drug-trafficking and conspiracy along with her boyfriend.