Mississippi cops arrest two on drugs bust near Ole Miss as mystery swirls over deaths of two young students

Two smoke shop employees near the University of Mississippi have been arrested on drug charges days after two students died in a suspected kratom overdose.

Police raided the store just one mile from the campus near where Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20, died earlier this week. 

They arrested Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mohamed, 18, with the two being booked for possession of Schedule 1 drugs with intent to distribute. 

A statement from Oxford Police said agents recovered over 500 units of kratom, along with an assortment of THC cartridges, gummies, and other suspected drugs. 

Police also highlighted how the business owner Amer Alowdi, 40, was previously indicted for trafficking drugs and has since left the country. 

‘This remains an active investigation. Additional information will be released when appropriate’, police added.

The boys were identified by their friends who spoke with The Daily Mississippian, Hamilton was a freshman from Colorado while Strang was a junior from Georgia. 

According to the outlet, law enforcement responded to Stewart Hall where they attempted CPR on Hamilton. 

Strang was then found dead at an off-campus house on Van Buren Avenue, sources told the outlet.

In a post to her Facebook page just last month, Aidan’s mother Kathie posted an image of him inside his dorm and outside of the school. 

She described her and her husband Peter as being ’empty nesters’, writing: ‘We are officially empty nesters – this is going to take some getting used to!!!!’ 

In a statement to Fox News, Scott Sayres, a family attorney for Strang’s relatives, said: ‘We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear son and are trying to process this unimaginable loss.

‘We are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of love, prayers and support by so many beloved friends and family. Their kindness has meant more to our family than we can ever express.’

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Shawnboda Mead announced their passing on Tuesday. 

Shortly after the news broke, Mead slammed rumors spreading on social media that more students may be unaccounted for. 

‘We encourage our community not to speculate about the circumstances or repeat information that has not been officially confirmed,’ she said. 

But, the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit shared a social media post stating that ‘packaged kratom’ was located during both death investigations. 

Kratom, an unregulated herbal extract, acts as a mild stimulant that people use for energy, pain relief, and managing withdrawal. It acts as an opioid in large doses. 

The substance was sold from an unnamed retail store, police said. It is unclear if kratom or other substances played a role in their deaths, the agency said. 

Authorities have warned people to refrain from ingesting kratom or other substances that have not been prescribed by a medical professional. 

‘Local, state, and federal partners are working collaboratively to gather the facts and provide answers as quickly and responsibly as possible,’ the agency said. 

‘We are also working closely with the families involved and ask that their privacy be respected during an incredibly difficult time.’ 

Police also reminded the community that Narcan, an over-the-counter medication that reverses an opioid overdose, is available in vending machines across campus. 

The university echoed the police, stating that their thoughts are with the friends, family, and loved ones of the two students.