Mississippi investigators say pills found at the scenes of two University of Mississippi students' deaths may have been kratom or synthetic kratom. A criminal affidavit links the products to Puffs Vape, Tobacco & Beer in Oxford and Express Mart #7 in Yalobusha County. Officers seized more than 500 units worth roughly $1,799 and arrested two employees; full toxicology and lab results are still pending. The FDA has warned concentrated synthetic kratom products can pose serious health risks.
Investigators Probe Two Stores After Kratom-Like Pills Found In Deaths Of Two Ole Miss Students
Strang family | Brian Comerford - PHOTO: Robert Strang, from Atlanta, was in his junior year at Ole Miss. | Aiden Hamilton, from Colorado, was in his freshman year at Ole Miss.
Mississippi investigators have provided new details in the probe into the Sept. 21 deaths of two University of Mississippi students, saying pills recovered at both scenes may have been kratom or synthetic kratom. Authorities allege the products were sold near campus at Puffs Vape, Tobacco & Beer in Oxford and Express Mart #7 in Yalobusha County.
Third District Circuit Court of Mississippi - PHOTO: The label on the package reads "Smax, Pseudo-DBM" tablets. The ingredients are listed as: Pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15(DHM), 7-Hydroxymitragine. Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl and M GM-15 are both controlled substances.
What Officials Say
A criminal affidavit filed by the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit says investigators found pills at both scenes that are described as kratom or synthetic kratom. Police say Robert Strang, a junior from Atlanta, made purchases at Express Mart #7 on Sept. 9 and Sept. 11, and that Aidan Hamilton, a freshman from Englewood, Colorado, made multiple purchases at Puffs Vape, including the day before he was found unresponsive.
Oxford Police Department - PHOTO: Yahya Mohamed Mosley is shown in this booking photo.
Undercover Purchase, Search Warrants and Seizure
According to the affidavit, a confidential informant working with investigators purchased "kratom-based pills" from one of the shops on Sept. 24 while recording the transaction. The clerk allegedly warned the informant to be careful because people were dying after taking the pills. That same day, narcotics officers executed search warrants and seized more than 500 units of suspected kratom products with an estimated street value of about $1,799.
Oxford Police Department - PHOTO: Islam Mohamed is shown in this booking photo.
Packaging, Preliminary Tests and Charges
Court filings and photographs describe tablets labeled "Smax, Pseudo-DBM," listing ingredients such as pseudoindoxyl, MGM-15 (DHM) and 7-hydroxymitragynine. The affidavit states that mitragynine pseudoindoxyl and MGM-15 are controlled substances. Preliminary forensic screening reportedly indicated that some seized tablets contained forms of kratom, and samples purchased from the stores have been sent to crime labs for full analysis.
Oxford police arrested two employees in connection with the seizure: Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and his son, Islam Mohamed, 18. Both were charged with possession of a Schedule I controlled substance with intent to distribute. No one has been officially tied by prosecutors to the students' deaths, and investigators said they expect additional investigative steps and potential charges as the probe continues.
Health Concerns and Next Steps
Toxicology testing for both students remains pending. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that kratom—and particularly concentrated synthetic 7‑OH mitragynine formulations—can pose serious risks, including addiction, mental health problems and other severe adverse effects. Investigators urged the public to avoid unregulated products and said they will continue following leads in the ongoing investigation.
Police Statement: "If you choose to illegally sell these substances in our community, expect law enforcement to come looking for you. We will investigate. We will obtain warrants. We will seize illegal products, and we will hold those responsible accountable."
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