Father and son arrested in Mississippi after deaths of two students

Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and his 18-year-old son, Islam Yahya Mosleh, were arrested in Mississippi and charged with possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute. The charges are connected to the deaths of two University of Mississippi students.

On 21 September, one student was found dead in a dormitory. The apparent cause of death “appeared to be consistent with a drug overdose”, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.

About an hour later, a second student was found dead at another location in what officials described as a suspected overdose. Packages of suspected kratom derivatives were found near both students, with some tablets missing.

Store search preceded arrests

Authorities linked the packages to a local vape, tobacco and beer store where the father and son worked. Search warrants were carried out at the shop, and investigators seized suspected controlled kratom derivatives before the pair were arrested.

The students’ deaths have not been officially attributed to kratom. Officials nevertheless issued warnings about consuming the substance after the incidents.

Derivatives classified as Schedule I

Mississippi prosecutors said the kratom derivatives MGPI, MGM-15 and MGM-16 are Schedule I controlled substances in the US. They said the compounds can be significantly more potent than natural kratom leaf products and morphine.

Kratom is a plant with opioid-like effects. In the US it is commonly bought over the counter in pill or liquid form; it is legal in some states, including Mississippi, and is not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration.