Marijuana Grow Operation Found Near Slidell, 3 Arrests Made

Two Slidell-area men and one juvenile have been arrested after a marijuana grow operation was located inside the garage of an Eden Isles-area home.

After receiving information about the possible grow operation, detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Narcotics Division conducted a search Monday (December 4, 2023) of a residence in the 300 block of Moonraker Drive.  There they located 82 live marijuana plants inside four fully equipped and operating grow tents set up in the garage. They also located 280 grams of marijuana, 71 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, four grams of cocaine, nine 30mg Adderall tablets, 1 THC vape and one suboxone strip inside the residence along with a 9mm pistol and an assortment of drug paraphernalia.

Arrested were 37 year-old Jose Romero,  37 year-old Gino Catalanotto, and a 17 year-old female juvenile.

Jose Romero (age 37) was charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS – Felony (2 counts), Possession of Schedule II CDS – Felony (2 counts), Possession of Schedule III CDS (suboxone)– Felony, Clandestine Lab – Felony, Illegal Carry of Weapons; Crime or CDS – Felony, Possession of Schedule I – Misdemeanor, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Misdemeanor, and Illegal Use of a CDS in the Presence of a Person Under 17 Years of Age – Misdemeanor

Gino Catalanotto (age 37), who was also living at the residence, was arrested after he was located inside the home during the search and refused to cooperate with deputies, becoming violent and causing damage to the inside of a police unit. He was charged with Resisting an Officer with Force or Violence – Felony, Simple Criminal Damage to Property – Misdemeanor, Possession of a Schedule I CDS – Misdemeanor, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Misdemeanor.

The 17-year-old female was issued summons for the following charges and released on a custodial agreement to appear in court: Possession of Schedule I (marijuana) – Misdemeanor, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – Misdemeanor, and Possession of Schedule I (psilocybin mushrooms) - Felony