A father and son who operated a Mississippi smoke shop have been arrested and charged in connection with the deaths of two University of Mississippi students, whose deaths are suspected to be linked to kratom, a substance often referred to as "gas station heroin."
Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Yahya Mosleh, 18, were charged by U.S. prosecutors with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The charges stem from an investigation into the deaths of two Ole Miss students that occurred last month.
Officials issued warnings about kratom consumption following the students' deaths, though the exact cause of their fatalities has not yet been officially attributed to the substance. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Mississippi, on September 21, one student was found dead in his dorm room, with the apparent cause of death consistent with a drug overdose. Law enforcement discovered packages of suspected kratom derivatives, some with missing tablets, at the scene.
Approximately an hour later, a second student was found deceased from a suspected overdose in another location, also in the presence of suspected kratom derivative packages. Officials traced these packages to a local vape, tobacco, and beer store. Following the execution of search warrants, law enforcement seized suspected kratom derivative controlled substances from the store, leading to the arrest of the Moslehs.
The deaths have amplified concerns and warnings from officials regarding the plant-based drug, which has a history of growing popularity in the U.S. over the past decade. Kratom, known for its opioid-like effects, is typically sold over the counter in pill or liquid form. While advocates have pushed for bans, and the substance is illegal in some countries, it is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and remains legal in some U.S. states, including Mississippi.
Prosecutors stated that kratom derivatives, including specific compounds like MGPI, MGM-15, and MGM-16, are now classified as Schedule I controlled substances in the United States. These derivatives are reported to be significantly more potent than natural kratom leaf products and even morphine.