Log in

LAW ENFORCEMENT

MCSO, Phoenix PD bust suspected illegal drug shop

Posted 8/10/22

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Phoenix Drug Enforcement Bureau worked with other agencies on an investigation that led to arrests in a suspected illegal drug enterprise, …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor
LAW ENFORCEMENT

MCSO, Phoenix PD bust suspected illegal drug shop

Posted

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and the Phoenix Drug Enforcement Bureau worked with other agencies on an investigation that led to arrests in a suspected illegal drug enterprise, authorities said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Drug Suppression Task Force and the Phoenix Drug Enforcement Bureau joined with other investigative units after receiving information of an unlicensed marijuana dispensary called Korporate Smoke, 1612 E. Southern in Phoenix, according to an MCSO release.

Over several months, MCSO detectives investigated the business with the Phoenix bureau, conducting several undercover purchases, which included psilocybin mushrooms, authorities said.

“The undercover officers were brought through the front door, into a small clothing store and then into a room with display cases containing illegal drugs,” the release stated.

“Buyers would then choose what drugs they wanted to purchase, and the employees would utilize two-way radios to communicate with other employees in a back room who would then bring the orders to the customer.”

Korporate Smoke had armed security and would provide customers with a waiting room with access to an ATM, officials said.

According to the release, Alisa Simpson, the suspected controlling manager, “established bank accounts, LLC’s, ledgers and even posted fraudulent dispensary licenses on social media to solicit innocent customers who thought they were purchasing THC products legally.”

Law enforcement teams established surveillance, arresting Simpson on Aug. 5, according to MCSO.

MCSO’s Tactical Operations Unit also served a warrant at the Korporate shop arresting two suspects identified as James McCoy and Corey Cashman “who were located inside of a hidden ‘safe’ room with drugs and money,” authorities said.

“This complex operation was successful due to the cooperation between all the law enforcement agencies involved,” Sheriff Paul Penzone said.

“These efforts are crucial to keep illegal drugs off the streets of Maricopa County.”

All three suspects were booked with the following charges:

• Control of an illegal enterprise.

• Sales of dangerous and narcotic drugs.

• Sales of marijuana.

• Fraud schemes.

Among items seized in the investigation:

  • 95 pounds marijuana flower
  • 881 THC vape carts (881 grams THC)
  • 62 psilocybin mushroom edibles (52.5 grams Psilocybin)
  • 977 THC edibles (488 grams THC)
  • 6.5 Pounds THC cannabis/hash
  • Four handguns
  • Three vehicles
  • $35,562 cash (approximate)
  • $45,739 bank account assets (approximate)
  • Two ATM Machines