A Covington business owner was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal distribution of kratom by businesses in St. Tammany Parish, according to a May 5 statement from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began investigating after receiving multiple complaints about tobacco shops allegedly selling kratom in the parish. The investigation resulted in a search warrant being executed at Candy & Tobacco Discounts on South Tyler Street in Covington, where detectives seized approximately 2,709 dosage units of kratom, 12 disposable vaporizer devices containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), $7,461 in cash, and a 2018 Buick Enclave SUV believed to have been used for distributing kratom.
Hareez Saleh Ali, a 34-year-old resident of Mandeville and owner of the business, was arrested on April 30 and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on several charges: three counts of distribution of kratom; possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of kratom; possession with intent to distribute marijuana; and transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses.
Louisiana enacted Senate Bill 154 (Act 41) on August 1, making it illegal to possess, produce or distribute kratom within the state. The law classifies mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine—the main alkaloids found in kratom—as Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substances alongside heroin and LSD. This legislation followed public health concerns raised by reports from families across Louisiana about addiction and loss linked to kratom use. In one case from St. Tammany Parish in 2023, a woman’s death prompted a coroner’s warning about risks associated with using kratom—especially when combined with other drugs.
“This arrest is part of our ongoing effort to hold individuals and businesses accountable for distributing illegal and potentially dangerous substances in our community,” said Sheriff Randy Smith. “Kratom is now classified as a Schedule I drug in Louisiana, and we will continue to aggressively enforce the law to protect the citizens of St. Tammany Parish.”
Smith encouraged anyone who has information about people or businesses selling kratom or other illegal drugs locally to submit tips through the Sheriff’s Office website or by calling their narcotics tip line.
