Scottsdale police have arrested two men in connection with a months-long drug investigation that uncovered a major cocaine and club drug operation in the city.
The suspects, 31-year-old Matsemela Zazu Moloi and 26-year-old Luke Asher McConnell, were taken into custody on Wednesday, August 13. Moloi was arrested during a traffic stop, while McConnell was apprehended at the Scottsdale apartment they shared.
Court documents allege that Moloi sold an eight-ball of cocaine to an undercover officer on two occasions earlier this summer. At the time of his arrest, Moloi had cocaine and ketamine in his pockets, and police found multiple bags of ketamine and a new designer drug called “pink cocaine” inside his vehicle.
Authorities also discovered more than $45,000 in cash and an array of drugs—including mushrooms, cocaine, ketamine, amphetamine pills, and MDMA—along with a pistol inside the apartment. A tackle box found in McConnell’s bedroom contained ketamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine, some of which were pre-packaged for sale.
Text messages on McConnell’s phone indicated drug transactions. While McConnell claimed ignorance about the tackle box and admitted only to selling marijuana and DMT cartridges, Moloi declined to speak with investigators.
Both men face charges including money laundering, multiple counts of drug possession, and weapons-related offenses. McConnell’s court documents list four charges, while Moloi’s include 14.
Bonds were set at $100,000 cash-only for McConnell and $250,000 cash-only for Moloi. Should they be released, both will be subject to conditions such as electronic monitoring.
Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for August 22.
