The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Drug Suppression Task Force (MCDST), the RICO Asset Investigation and Disruption Section (RAIDS), HIDTA Enforcement Action Team (HEAT) and the Phoenix Drug Enforcement Bureau (DEB) worked collaboratively after receiving information of an unlicensed Marijuana Dispensary called “Korporate Smoke” located at 1612 E. Southern in Phoenix, Arizona.
Over several months, MCDST detectives investigated the business with Phoenix DEB conducting several undercover purchases from the business which included Psilocybin Mushrooms. 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. Buyers would then choose what drugs they wanted to purchase, and the employees would utilize 2-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 an ATM.
Alisa Simpson, the suspected controlling manager of the criminal enterprise, 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.
The teams established surveillance, arresting Simpson on August 5, 2022. MCSO’s Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) 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.
“This complex operation was successful due to the cooperation between all the law enforcement agencies involved,” said Sheriff Paul Penzone. “These efforts are crucial to keep illegal drugs off the streets of Maricopa County and protect our residents from these dangerous substances.”
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
Seizures:
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
4 Handguns
3 Vehicles
$35,562 Cash (approximate)
$45,739.04 Bank Account Assets (approximate)
2 ATM Machines
Various Documents / Ledgers
Cell Phones / Laptops
1 Large Safe
Miscellaneous “Korporate” Branding Items
