2 arrested in kratom bust in Oxford

OXFORD, Miss. (WTVA) — Oxford police announced two arrests in the alleged sale of illegal substances, including kratom.

Narcotics agents received a tip on Thursday about the alleged sale of illegal substances at a local business, according to police.

Officers then used a search warrant at Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store on Heritage Drive.

They recovered more than 500 units of kratom, along with THS cartridges, gummies and other suspected narcotics, according to police.

Oxford outlawed the possession, distribution and sale of kratom in 2019.

This led to the arrests of Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mohamed, 18, both of Oxford.

Police charged them with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Police also identified another possible suspect: the business’ owner, 40-year-old Amer Alowdi.

A grand jury indicted Alowdi in 2022 for allegedly trafficking narcotics, but he fled the country, according to police.

Oxford police expect to make more arrests.

This investigation comes on the heels of the deaths of Ole Miss students Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20.

Read More - Ole Miss confirms identity of students who died Monday

Hamilton was found unresponsive on campus and later died, while Strang died off campus.

The cause of their deaths remains under investigation, and toxicology reports are not yet available.

However, Lafayette County Metro Narcotics said officers found store-bought kratom at each location. Whether other drugs were involved remains under investigation.

Narcotics investigators emphasized there is no evidence linking the two deaths.

Oxford police on Friday did not indicate whether the new arrests are related to the investigation into the students’ deaths.