23 charged with roles in making meth in cave

The organization is alleged to have sold $1 million of the drug in the last four years.

STAFF REPORT

MERCER, Pa. — The Pennsylvania attorney general’s office has arrested 23 people accused of having roles in a large-scale methamphetamine lab in Venango and Mercer counties.

Attorney General Tom Corbett announced the arrests Friday in Harrisburg.

Corbett said an investigation known as “Operation Cave-in” had focused on a sophisticated meth lab and pill-shopping operation run by Rockne K. Barber Sr., 62, of Henderson Road, Stoneboro, Venango County.

Corbett said Barber produced meth in a man-made cave hidden in a hillside near his home.

Barber and his associates are also accused of coordinating the purchase of cold medicine and other chemicals required to make meth.

Corbett said the organization sold an estimated $1 million worth of meth in the last four years.

The Friday arrests were based on evidence and testimony presented to a statewide investigating grand jury, which recommended the criminal charges, Corbett said. The grand jury heard evidence after the Northwestern Pennsylvania Meth Task Force executed a search of Barber’s property April 24 and found the lab.

Corbett said Barber was assisted by Roland W. Rodkey, 52, of Franklin, and James Lawrentz, 40, of Fairgrounds Road, Stoneboro. They coordinated efforts to get pseudoephedrine cold medicine, used in making meth, from stores throughout the region, Corbett said.

Barber Sr. and Lawrentz are charged with participating in a corrupt organization, violations of the controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, conspiracy to violate the Drug Act, violations of the Meth Precursors and Chemicals Act, and criminal use of a communications facility.

Rodkey is charged with participating in a corrupt organization, violations of the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, conspiracy to violate the Drug Act, and violations of the Meth Precursors and Chemicals Act.

Corbett said all the other defendants are charged with criminal conspiracy to violate the Drug Act and violations of the Meth Precursors and Chemicals Act.