Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said in an afternoon press conference that his detectives working in the Special Investigations Division made 39 arrests of drug dealers including 11 working in compassion clubs. They also seized drugs, weapons and cash following three separate but related investigations into a number of ‘compassion clubs.’ ‘Operation Lucky Charm’ also targeted street level drug dealers selling in skate parks, high crime neighborhoods and known drug trafficking areas.
Arpaio says the crackdown began on March 3, 2014 and it resulted in the seizure of 1,000 lbs. of marijuana (street value in excess of $700,000); almost 30 lbs. of hydroponic (high grade) marijuana (valued at $185,000) and several weapons, including automatic handguns and a high-powered rifle as well as nearly $230,000 cash money, one house in Mesa and eight vehicles. Detectives also found and seized an ATM machine which contained marijuana. Several baked goods containing marijuana like brownies and cookies were also seized.
Arpaio, a former head of the Arizona U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration before he became Sheriff, says illegal cannabis businesses known as “compassion clubs,” have sprung up in the county as a result of the passage of Arizona’s Medical Marijuana Act in 2010. These ‘clubs’ are deemed illegal as they have not registered and are not licensed with the state department of health.
That same legislation also led to the formation of legally registered medical marijuana dispensaries in Maricopa County. No legally registered dispensary was targeted in this operation, Arpaio says.
Arpaio explained that in these clubs, marijuana is made available to its “members.” But according to the Sheriff, his undercover detectives were able to walk in off the street and buy product right up to the time of the search warrants without any proof of so called ‘membership.’
Compassion Club Businesses Targeted by this operation:
On March 13, 2014, detectives served five search warrants as part of the ongoing investigation into the illegal medical marijuana dispensary known as “The Care Station” located at 2444 East Thomas Road in Phoenix.
On March 4, detectives established that “The Kind Collective,” located at 15820 North 35th Avenue in Phoenix was operating as a medical marijuana dispensary with no license for this business according to the Department of Health Services.
On March 3, 2014, detectives completed an investigation of a Phoenix compassion club called “The Underground” at 4215 North 16th Street in Phoenix by serving two search warrants simultaneously on the business and the primary suspect’s residence in Chandler.
All suspects have been booked into 4th Avenue Jail on various felony drug and money laundering charges.
Arpaio says his investigators remain at two Laveen residences at this hour, one at 4339 West Maldonado and the other at 3124 West St Anne Street and a Phoenix home. All the homes are described as large grow houses, Arpaio says.
Arpaio says street level drug traffickers are responsible for numerous violent and non-violent crimes in the valley. A new program to address these issues will be announced and initiated soon.