US father and son arrested after 'gas station heroin' deaths linked to kratom derivatives

A father and son have been arrested in Mississippi on federal charges related to the sale of illegal kratom derivatives, following the deaths of two University of Mississippi students in late September 2026. Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and his 18-year-old son, Islam Yahya Mosleh, who both worked at a local vape and tobacco store in Oxford, face charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Authorities investigating the deaths of Ole Miss students Aidan Hamilton and Robert Strang found packages of suspected kratom derivatives in their rooms, linking the products to the store.

Investigators initiated an undercover operation where an informant purchased kratom-based pills from Yahya Mosleh, who allegedly cautioned the buyer about individuals dying from the substance. While natural kratom, an herbal substance from Southeast Asia, is federally legal, certain potent derivatives found at the scenes, such as MGM-15 and 7-OH, are classified as Schedule I controlled substances. The city of Oxford, where the arrests occurred, has had a ban on kratom sales, possession, and consumption since 2019.

The deaths of the two students are considered consistent with drug overdoses, though official toxicology reports are still pending. The term "gas station heroin" is often used to describe highly potent kratom derivatives and other substances with opioid-like effects that are readily available in retail outlets. The investigation into the deaths and the alleged illegal sales remains active, with potential for further charges.