Two Coug players arrested on drug-related charges

PULLMAN – Pullman police arrested two members of the Washington State University football team early Sunday morning after finding 38 marijuana plants growing in a house they rented with two other people.

Jamal Atofau, a redshirt freshman backup linebacker, and Andre Barrington, a redshirt freshman who is academically ineligible this semester, were arrested along with Bailey Woods and Zachary Uttech, according to the police report.

Police came to the home at 1745 NE Lower Drive, just north of Beasley Coliseum, to serve an unrelated search warrant, according to police spokesman Cmdr. Chris Tennant.

While conducting that search, Tennant said, they discovered the marijuana plants growing in a basement room. They obtained a drug-related warrant, searched the room, found plants, manufacturing equipment and paraphernalia. The four residents, including the two football players, were arrested.

“We’re in a college town, it’s not that unusual to find five or six plants growing in somebody’s individual bedroom,” Tennant said.

“Thirty-eight plants in a residence is quite a big deal for us,” he added.

The four were taken to Pullman Police Station, booked and released on their own recognizance, Tennant said. All four were charged with a violation of the uniform controlled substance act, the severity of which depends on the weight of the marijuana seized. That will be determined when the plants are dry, according to Tennant.

Atofau has been suspended from team activities while coach Paul Wulff gathers information concerning the incident, a WSU spokesman said. Because Barrington is ineligible and has not been practicing, suspension was unnecessary.

Atofau also plays on special teams. He has played in five games and has eight tackles.