OXFORD: Investigators examining the deaths of two University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) students are tracing alleged kratom sales at two stores. Toxicology results remain pending.
Aidan Hamilton, a freshman from Englewood, Colorado, and Robert Strang, a junior from Atlanta, died in separate incidents on September 21. Investigators said they found suspected kratom or synthetic kratom pills at both locations.
The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit filed an affidavit on Monday. It identifies Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store in Oxford and Express Mart #7 in Yalobusha County.
According to the affidavit, Strang allegedly bought pills at Express Mart on September 9 and September 11. Officers subsequently purchased similar tablets there and submitted them for laboratory analysis.
Meanwhile, investigators examining Hamilton’s bank records identified several purchases at Puffs, including one the day before his death.
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An informant bought alleged kratom-based pills at Puffs on September 24, the affidavit alleges. Officers searched the premises later that day.
They seized more than 500 units of suspected kratom products valued at $1,799. Preliminary testing indicated that some contained forms of kratom, according to the affidavit.
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Officers arrested store employees Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and his son Islam Mohamed, 18. Both face charges of possessing Schedule I controlled substances with intent to distribute.
However, the narcotics unit has not officially linked their arrests to the deaths. No one from Express Mart had been arrested or charged as of Tuesday.
Oxford Police Department said on Friday that its continuing investigation could lead to further arrests and charges.
