Father, Son Face Federal Charges After Raid in Probe of Two Ole Miss Student Deaths Linked to Kratom-Like Pills

Federal prosecutors have charged a father and son who worked at an Oxford smoke shop with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute as part of an active investigation into whether kratom-like products were connected to the deaths of two University of Mississippi students.

Case Details

Fifty-one-year-old Yahya Mohamed Mosleh and his 18-year-old son, Islam Yahya Mosleh, appeared in federal court Oct. 1, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Mississippi said. The charges follow a Sept. 24 search of Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store in Oxford after agents arranged a controlled purchase of a product labeled "SMAX," which investigators believe contained kratom-related substances.

Authorities reported seizing more than 500 units of synthetic kratom products, along with THC cartridges, gummies and other suspected narcotics during the raid. Preliminary forensic testing indicated that some of the seized pills contained forms of kratom; full laboratory analyses and toxicology results are still pending.

Evidence and Investigative Steps

Investigators opened the probe after Robert Strang, 20, of Atlanta, and Aidan Hamilton, 18, of Englewood, Colorado, were found dead in separate Oxford locations on Sept. 21. Packaging associated with kratom-like products was recovered at both scenes. Officials say both deaths appear consistent with drug overdoses, but autopsy and toxicology reports are required to determine a cause.

According to a criminal affidavit filed Sept. 25, investigators traced packaging marked "SMAX, Pseudo-DHM" to purchases at two nearby retailers: Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store in Oxford and Express Mart #7 in neighboring Yalobusha County. Investigators also reviewed the students' bank records and found purchases matching products recovered at the scenes.

In a separate operation, a confidential informant wearing audio and video equipment reportedly bought "kratom-based pills" from Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store. The affidavit alleges that Yahya Mosleh retrieved a package from beneath the register and told the informant to be careful taking the pills because "people were dying from them." Investigators later seized hundreds of similar units during the Sept. 24 raid.

"Today's federal court proceedings represent another step in an investigation that remains active and ongoing," the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit said in an Oct. 1 statement, adding that additional charges could follow as evidence is reviewed.

Other Scene Evidence

At the off-campus residence where Strang was found, investigators discovered roughly 20 to 30 nitrous oxide canisters. Strang's roommates told authorities he frequently used "whippets." Hamilton's roommate said Hamilton often used marijuana from pens and pipes and had developed a persistent cough but reported no known hard-drug use.

Legal and Public Health Context

Kratom is an herbal substance derived from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says kratom can produce stimulant-like effects at low doses and opioid-like effects at higher doses. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved kratom for medical use.

Oxford and Lafayette County have locally banned kratom. Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill has warned residents about potential dangers as investigators work to determine the chemical composition of seized products, identify distribution sources and establish any link between the retail sales and the students' deaths.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities emphasize that they have not concluded whether kratom or any other specific substance caused the deaths. Officials will await final autopsy and toxicology findings before drawing conclusions.