A freshman at Ole Miss was found dead in his dorm room after purchasing kratom from a drug store that has since been raided. According to court documents, employees had warned undercover officers against buying certain pills, citing concerns that “people were dying” from them.
Eighteen-year-old Aidan Hamilton had visited the Puffs smoke shop in Oxford on two occasions, September 9 and September 14, to buy Smax Pseudo-DHM, a chewable version of the herbal supplement that is illegal to sell in the area. His last visit came just a week before he reportedly died from an overdose, as noted by a local news outlet.
This marks the first instance where the shop has been connected to the investigation surrounding the sudden deaths of Hamilton and another student, Robert Strang, 20, who also had a Smax packet at his residence when he died on the same day as Hamilton, as revealed in court records.
During a sting operation at the shop, undercover agents were allegedly warned by a clerk to exercise caution with the pills, given that fatalities were occurring. This particular store had previously been flagged, having had kratom banned for sale since 2019.
Authorities confiscated over 500 kratom units, THC cartridges, and other suspected drugs during the raid. Two employees, Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mohamed, 18, were arrested on charges related to the possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.
The store’s owner, Amer Alowdi, was charged with trafficking drugs but has since fled the country prior to facing trial.
Strang reportedly acquired his Smax packet from a different store, the Express Mart #7, in Yalobusha County. The precise connection between kratom and the deaths of the students remains unclear.
New details surrounding Strang’s last moments indicate that he consumed a Xanax bar the afternoon prior to his death. Investigators discovered numerous nitrous oxide canisters and were informed by his roommates that he frequently used “whippets.”
Both students’ causes of death are still under investigation, with toxicology results anticipated within a couple of weeks.
Strang’s family shared that he “passed away peacefully in his sleep,” expressing that his unexpected death left a significant void for his loved ones. Meanwhile, Hamilton was remembered by his family as someone who cherished the outdoors, particularly enjoying hiking and backpacking. They described him as a warm and energetic individual who brought joy to those around him.
The university is providing counseling services to its students in light of these tragic events.
