Mississippi Department of Public Safety officials announced on Friday (September 25th) that the toxicology reports on the mysterious deaths of two students at the University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, are expected to be completed as early as next week.
Authorities stated that if the test results show the presence of fentanyl in the bodies of the deceased, the state has a specific law that can be used to hold accountable those responsible for selling fentanyl.
According to Sean Tindell, the head of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, under the Parker’s Law enacted in 2022, law enforcement agencies will collaborate with prosecutors to file lawsuits and bring those responsible for illegal fentanyl distribution to justice.
Tindell emphasized that the final decision will have to wait until after the autopsy reports are released, allowing investigators to gather testimonies and evidence.
In a statement, the Oxford police announced the discovery of a large quantity of illicit substances, including THC and kratom, during a raid on a tobacco shop allegedly involved in drug trafficking in the local area.
The police highlighted that while kratom is legal in many parts of the United States, it is illegal in Lafayette County.
Since 2019, the city of Oxford has prohibited the possession, distribution, and sale of kratom.
During the search operation, law enforcement officers seized over 500 packages of kratom, along with various THC vaping cartridges, gummies, and other suspected drugs.
It was reported by the police that kratom packaging was found at both scenes of the incidents.
The shop, named Puffs Vape, Tobacco and Beer Store, is located on Heritage Drive in Oxford.
In the raid, 51-year-old Yahya Mohamed Mosleh and 18-year-old Islam Mohamed, both local residents, were arrested. In 2022, the store owner, 40-year-old Amer Alowdi, was indicted for drug trafficking but fled the country before the indictment. It remains unclear how the store continued to operate.
Tindell informed FOX News on Thursday that while no evidence of foul play has been found, they have not ruled out the possibility.
The identities of the two deceased students have been confirmed as 20-year-old junior Robert Strang from Atlanta and 18-year-old freshman Aidan Hamilton from Colorado.
Both families have requested privacy, understanding, and support from the public to mourn the loss of their loved ones peacefully.
Classmates of the deceased students are circulating a warning about a potent synthetic opioid called cyclophine, cautioning that multiple doses of naloxone may be needed to counteract its effects.
Governor Tate Reeves has pledged to provide state resources to expedite the toxicology reports. While such reports typically take several weeks to complete, in the case of the University of Mississippi, they may be finalized in just a few days.
(Translated and adapted from a report by FOX News)