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Police seize 94 marijuana plants, 50 pounds of pot from Huntersville home

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — Police have arrested a man accused of running a large marijuana growing operation in Huntersville.

Huntersville police officers said they seized 94 actively growing marijuana plants, with some more than 6 feet tall, approximately 50 pounds of marijuana and 17 guns, including 13 handguns and four long guns, at a home on Devin Allen Drive on Friday.

Robert Somervell, 48, has been charged with trafficking marijuana by possession, trafficking marijuana by manufacturing, trafficking marijuana by selling, conspiracy to traffic marijuana more than 50 pounds, maintaining a dwelling to keep or sell a controlled substance, possession with the intent to sell and deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia.

(Robert Somervell)

Some neighbors said they knew Somervell for more than a decade, but no one Channel 9 spoke with had any idea about what police said was going on inside.

“They said the house got a lot of traffic at night, but nobody thought anything of it,” said neighbor Lori Farnsworth. “We're just trying to ask people if you see a lot of activity that you're just not sure about, check into it.”

Investigators said an anonymous neighbor tipped them off.

The house is across the street from the neighborhood playground for young children.

“There's a lot of kids in the neighborhood,” Farnsworth said. “A lot of bikes, we just don't need that kind of traffic. We don't need to have drugs here.”

Farnsworth is pushing for a neighborhood watch.

“I don't know. We'll have to see. It is concerning,” Farnsworth said.

All but one of the charges were felonies and each carries a $25,000 bond.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact Sean Freeston of the Huntersville police at 704-464-5400 or North Mecklenburg Crime Stoppers at 704-896-7867.