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Clovis family arrested for drugs, guns

Published online on Tuesday, Sep. 29, 2009

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A Clovis couple and their 15-year-old son were arrested Tuesday on drug and weapons charges after detectives discovered a marijuana-growing operation in their home, police said.

Armed with a warrant, detectives discovered a "sophisticated hydroponic growing system," 75 marijuana plants and several pounds of high-grade marijuana, police spokeswoman Janet Stoll-Lee said.

The home -- near Sierra Avenue and Highway 168 -- had separate trimming and drying areas to prepare and package the crop, Stoll-Lee said. The family also had 13 long guns and 10 handguns, some of them loaded, she said.

Audra and Carter Compolongo, both 40, and their 15-year-old son were arrested on suspicion of illegal cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale and marijuana sales, Stoll-Lee said.

The parents face additional charges of furnishing marijuana to a minor, employing a minor to prepare marijuana for sale, maintaining a drug house, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, child endangerment and neglect, and being armed in the commission of a felony.

In addition, detectives have evidence that the Compolongos have been selling marijuana to dispensaries, which is illegal, she said.

The arrests are part of a crackdown on drug dealing at the city's Skate Park on Villa Avenue near Barstow Avenue.

Last week undercover narcotics officers purchased marijuana from the 15-year-old boy who was arrested Tuesday, Stoll-Lee said.

The officers also bought a quarter pound of marijuana from Robert Lee Williams Jr., 50. A search of his home on the 1400 block of Beverly Avenue turned up seven large marijuana plants in an elaborate backyard grow, which included a high tech security system, Stoll-Lee said.

Officers arrested Williams and his 21-year-old girlfriend, Catherine Adair, on suspicion of cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of concentrated cannabis and sales of marijuana. The investigation revealed they were supplying drug dealers at the Skate Park, Stoll-Lee said.


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