COUPLE FACES FEDERAL MARIJUANA CHARGES

EUREKA A Santa Rosa couple were arrested on federal charges after
thousands of marijuana plants and $176,000 in cash were seized during
searches in Southern Humboldt County and at their Santa Rosa home.

Federal, state and county officers serving a search warrant in the
Ettersburg area found 5,670 marijuana plants growing in four buildings,
including two box-car-sized structures buried underground. Also found
buried on the 200-acre property was $136,000 in plastic containers.

Humboldt County Sheriff's Sgt. Wayne Hanson said another federal warrant
was served simultaneously at the Santa Rosa home of John Robert Barkley,
36, and Kuntida Barkley, 35. Hanson said the couple are believed to be the
owners of the Ettersburg property and the "large, commercial operation."

At the Barkleys' home, officers seized 15 pounds of dried marijuana,
$40,000 in cash and two vehicles.

Hanson said Wednesday that John Barkley remains in federal custody. His
wife posted bail.

He said neither of the Barkleys have legitimate jobs.

"Asset forfeiture proceedings have started," Hanson said.

Although Humboldt County officers assisted in the Saturday morning raid,
the investigation is being conducted by the federal Drug Enforcement
Agency. Hanson said federal authorities are not releasing the names of four
Ettersburg-area residents who apparently were working for the Barkleys and
were arrested on the property.

The Barkleys sometimes commuted from Santa Rosa to keep an eye on their
Humboldt County operation, Hanson said. He said it's believed the couple
had been growing marijuana there "for at least a year."

The plants found in the four buildings near Ettersburg ranged from 3 inches
to 3 feet and weighed a total of 1,334 pounds. Officers also seized three
generators that were providing electricity for the operation.

Because the Barkleys are being prosecuted federally, if convicted they face
a 10-year term in federal prison. They would have to serve at least eight
years.

In addition to the Sheriff's Department and the federal DEA, officers from
the county's Drug Task Force, the state Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement and
federal Bureau of Land Management participated in the raid.