Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 Source: Times-Standard (CA) Copyright: 2001 The Times-Standard Contact: 930 Sixth St. Eureka, CA 95501 Fax: 707-441-0501 Feedback: http://www.times-standard.com/AngEuk_feedback.asp?PUIDQ06&SPUIDQ06 Website: http://www.times-standard.com/ Author: Rhonda Parker 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth