Two arrested for selling kratom, other drugs at Oxford vape store

Key Points

• The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store in Oxford, Mississippi.
• Officers arrested Oxford residents Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mohamed, 18.
• Authorities charged both men with possession of Schedule I controlled substances with intent to distribute.
• Investigators seized over 500 units of kratom, along with THC cartridges, gummies, and other suspected narcotics.
• The city of Oxford banned the possession, distribution, and sale of kratom in 2019.
• Store owner Amer Alowdi, 40, fled the country after being indicted on narcotics trafficking charges in 2022.
• The search follows investigations into the recent deaths of two University of Mississippi students where officers found packaged kratom, though authorities have established no official connection to the store.

OXFORD (Oxford Daily) September 25, 2026 — As reported by local media outlets including The Oxford Eagle, Dark Horse Press, and Local Memphis, law enforcement officers with the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit carried out a targetted raid on Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store located in the 100 block of Heritage Drive in Oxford, Mississippi.

The operation resulted in the arrest of two local employees, 51-year-old Yahya Mohamed Mosleh and 18-year-old Islam Mohamed. Both men were charged with possession of Schedule I controlled substances with intent to distribute following a controlled undercover operation conducted by narcotics agents on 24 September 2026.

What did law enforcement seize during the search warrant execution?

According to official press releases issued by the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit and cited by Jon Myers of DeSoto County News, investigators seized a significant cache of illicit retail merchandise during the raid. Law enforcement officers removed more than 500 units of commercially packaged kratom, an assortment of illicit THC vape cartridges, infused gummies, and various other suspected narcotics.

The municipal government of Oxford formally banned all possession, sale, and distribution of kratom products under city ordinance in 2019, making any commercial trade of the substance illegal within city limits.

Who owns Puffs Vape and what is their criminal history?

As highlighted by reports from Local Memphis and Dark Horse Press, the registered business owner of Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store is 40-year-old Amer Alowdi. Officials confirmed that Alowdi was previously indicted by a grand jury on severe narcotics trafficking charges in 2022.

However, law enforcement representatives noted that Alowdi fled the United States prior to his formal prosecution and remains a international fugitive, leaving questions regarding the continued operational management of the Heritage Drive storefront.

How does this raid connect to recent Ole Miss student deaths?

As reported by Fox News Digital and The New York Post, the police intervention coincided with heightened public concern following the separate deaths of two University of Mississippi students earlier in the week. Authorities revealed that packaged kratom was discovered by investigators at both death scenes.

However, law enforcement officials explicitly clarified that toxicology results remain pending, and no formal legal or medical connection has been established between the seized products at Puffs Vape and the deceased students.

In an official statement, the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit warned local retailers: “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”.

Background of the Kratom Prohibition and Retail Enforcement Development

The city of Oxford, Mississippi, enacted a complete municipal prohibition on kratom in 2019 due to growing public safety concerns over the unregulated herbal substance. Derived from the tropical Mitragyna speciosa tree native to Southeast Asia, kratom contains psychoactive compounds that interact with opioid receptors in the brain. While the substance remains federally legal in many parts of the United States, numerous municipalities across Mississippi—including Oxford and surrounding Lafayette County—classified kratom as a controlled substance to curb open access in gas stations and vape shops.

Despite local bans, regulatory enforcement in specialized smoke shops has faced continuous challenges, accentuated by complex ownership structures as demonstrated by the owner fleeing federal prosecution in 2022. The intersection of municipal ordinance enforcement, fugitive-owned businesses, and proximity to a major university campus has intensified scrutiny on local retail establishments selling synthetic cannabinoids and banned botanical compounds.

Prediction: Impact on the Local Oxford Community, University Students, and Retail Merchants

This municipal law enforcement crackdown will likely trigger immediate regulatory and social changes across the Oxford community and the University of Mississippi campus:

• Impact on University Students and Young Adults: With heightened police surveillance surrounding campus-adjacent retail shops, students will face stricter local enforcement regarding illegal psychoactive substances. Public safety campaigns will probably intensify on campus, alerting students to the legal status and health risks of locally banned products like kratom and illicit THC derivatives.
• Impact on Retail Store Owners and Vape Shops: Smoke shops, convenience stores, and vape retailers across Lafayette County will encounter unprecedented scrutiny from the Metro Narcotics Unit. Law enforcement agencies are expected to increase undercover controlled purchase operations. Commercial landlords may also re-evaluate lease agreements with vape vendors to prevent liability tied to illegal narcotics operations.
• Impact on Local Municipal Legislation: Municipal leaders in Oxford may pursue tighter business licensing restrictions, requiring enhanced background checks for smoke shop operators to prevent fugitive-owned or proxy-run businesses from continuing commercial operations.