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OXFORD, Miss. (WMC) - A judge has determined there's probable cause to hand down federal charges against the two former vape store employees whom investigators claim sold synthetic kratom to a student who died from a suspected overdose last week in Oxford.

Yahya Mosleh, 51, and Islam Mosleh, 18, appeared in federal court on Thursday.

Both face federal charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Last week, Lafayette County Metro Narcotics agents sent a confidential informant into Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store in Oxford to investigate the alleged sales of illegal substances, according to the arrest affidavit.

The informant asked if the store sold  7-OH Kratom-based pills. 

Records show the clerk said yes before warning the informant to  be careful taking the pills, because people are dying from them. 

Oxford police then executed a search warrant at the store, and 500 units of kratom and kratom-like products were seized. An assortment of  THC cartridges, gummies, pre-rolls, and other suspected THC substances  was also recovered.

Both Yahya and Islam were subsequently arrested and charged.

According to court affidavits, that raid stemmed from the suspected overdose deaths of University of Mississippi students Aidan Hamilton and Robert Strang on Monday, September 21.

Hamilton reportedly purchased  Smax  Pseudo-DHM tablets, a synthetic kratom product, at Puffs twice before his death.

 Smax  found at Stewart Hall at Ole Miss. (Police Documents)

Strang bought the pills at a different store in Yalobusha County.

Their causes of death have still not been confirmed. Metro Narcotics reports that both cases remain under investigation.

 Today's federal court proceedings represent another step in an investigation that remains active and ongoing. Law enforcement has not stopped working this case. Investigators continue to review evidence and pursue additional information, and additional charges may be forthcoming as the investigation develops. We are grateful for the continued partnership and commitment 

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