Suspects used Mesa smoke shop as front for illegal drug operation, police say
MESA, Ariz. - Following a six-month investigation, police say two men were arrested in connection to an illegal drug operation in Mesa.
Mesa Police say 31-year-old Casey Thornton and 29-year-old Davonte Williams used the Green Trail Smoke Shop, located near University Drive and Extension Road, as a front to cover up their crimes.
"With the help of the East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Mesa Police Department’s Organized Crime Section-Narcotic Unit was able to gather enough evidence through undercover operations and surveillance tactics to arrest both Thornton and Williams," police said in a news release.
At the conclusion of their investigation, police say they seized 19 handguns, four rifles, and $285,000 worth of the following drugs:
- 91.62 grams of methamphetamine
- 24,937.6 pills of fentanyl
- 74.6 grams of cocaine
- 5 syringes of liquid morphine
- 61 pounds of marijuana
- 125.5 grams of marijuana gummies
- More than 600 vape pen cartridges with THC
- 20.1 grams of miscellaneous prescription pills
Both Thornton and Williams were booked into jail and are accused of multiple charges.