Search warrant at Oxford vape shop nets 2 arrests, hundreds of illegal narcotics units

OXFORD, Miss. (WLBT) - Two men are behind bars and hundreds of units of illegal narcotics have been seized following a raid at an Oxford retail business on Thursday, according to the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit.

Yahya Mohamed Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mohamed, 18, both of Oxford, were arrested and charged with possession of Schedule I controlled substances with intent to distribute.

Investigators said the Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit launched an investigation on Thursday, Sept. 24, after receiving reports that illegal substances were being sold out of Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store, located in the 100 block of Heritage Drive.

After agents carried out a controlled purchase of illegal substances from the store, law enforcement secured and executed a search warrant at the business.

During the search, agents seized more than 500 units of kratom, an assortment of THC cartridges and gummies, and other suspected narcotics. Kratom has been banned from possession, sale, and distribution in the City of Oxford since 2019.

Authorities noted that the shop’s owner, 40-year-old Amer Alowdi, was previously indicted in 2022 for narcotics trafficking but fled the country before prosecution.

Metro Narcotics officials emphasized that the operation remains an active investigation and warned that more charges and arrests may follow as they continue targeting illicit sales in the area.

These arrests come just days after kratom was found at the scene of two Ole Miss student deaths.

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