JACKSONVILLE.COM - A Ware County woman ended up behind bars herself when she came to jail to visit her boyfriend, a convicted drug trafficker who had been arrested at a large-scale marijuana growing operation at the couple's Millwood home. Katherine R. Gurley, 49, is jailed without bail on charges of manufacturing marijuana, trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana, county Sheriff Randy Royal said Monday. Gurley lived with Michael Wayne Mancil in the 7900 block of Herrin Road where deputies seized at least $1.4 million worth of marijuana, beginning Thursday. Deputies found marijuana packaged and ready for sale and live plants from seedlings to mature weed. The clandestine pot farm is among the largest uncovered in Ware County in recent history, Royal said. "From what we've learned through the investigation so far, there is every indication that the marijuana was being sold locally and in surrounding counties as well," Royal said. Arrested Thursday night, Mancil also remained jailed without bail. A 59-year-old felon, Mancil is charged with manufacturing marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, trafficking in marijuana, possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of crime. "We arrested Ms. Gurley on Saturday when she came to visit him at the jail," Royal said. Gurley and Mancil have lived together about four years at the Millwood home, he said. "She said she had no idea that [marijuana cultivation] was going on out there," Royal said. In 1997, Mancil was sentenced to 10 years' probation after being convicted of felony possession of marijuana, trafficking in marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The marijuana was growing inside the couple's home and at scattered sites in adjacent woods...Just how high did this chick have to be? See, the secret to bein' a drug dealer is to stay away from the stuff you're sellin'. Words of wisdom that I learned from a friend a long time ago. If you're dealin' the shit you have to stay away from it or you'll fuck yourself sooner or later. Katie here broke the cardinal rule. Looks like she'll have a little time in the graybar hotel to reflect on what a dumbass she is. Bon voyage!
