Mississippi police seize kratom and make arrests after deaths of Ole Miss students

Two people were arrested and a load of kratom seized, Mississippi authorities said Friday, days following the mysterious deaths of two Ole Miss students who were found with kratom at the scene.

Metro Narcotics agents on Thursday raided the Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store, located in the 100 block of Heritage Drive in Oxford, officials said.

Agents seized “more than 500 units of kratom, along with an assortment of THC cartridges, gummies, and other suspected narcotics,” according to am Oxford police statement,.

The possession, distribution and sale of kratom has been prohibited from Oxford in 2019, police said.

Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mohamed, 18, were booked for various drug offenses. The store’s owner, 40-year-old Amer Alowdi, was indicted for allegedly trafficking narcotics in 2022, officials said.

He fled the country before prosecution and “additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation continues” in this matter, officials said.

Aidan Hamilton, 18, a freshman from Englewood, Colorado, and Robert Strang, 20, a junior from Atlanta, were found dead in separate locations this week, Ole Miss said. Their causes of death have not been announced and it is not clear if kratom played any role.

Their deaths sparked renewed concerns about the drug, which officials said was found at the scene of both deaths.

Kratom is an herb with opioidlike effects. It has gained popularity in the U.S. as an unapproved treatment for pain, anxiety and drug dependence. Kratom can be stimulating or sedating, depending on the dosage taken, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

It wasn’t immediately clear on Friday if these arrests have any connection to the Hamilton and Strang deaths.

This is a developing story, Please check back here for updates.

David K. LiSenior Breaking News Reporter

Anthony Cusumano is the South Region Deputy Director for NBC News.