Hareez Saleh Ali, age 34 and of Mandeville and owner of Candy & Tobacco Discounts, was arrested on April 30, 2026 as part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal distribution of kratom by businesses in St. Tammany Parish. Detectives with the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division launched the investigation after receiving numerous complaints about tobacco shops in the parish allegedly selling kratom.
The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant at Candy & Tobacco Discounts, located at 100 S. Tyler Street in Covington. During the search, 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 to facilitate the distribution of kratom.
Hareez Saleh Ali is charged with Distribution of Kratom (3 counts), Possession with the Intent to Distribute Kratom (greater than 500 grams), Possession with the Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance (marijuana), and Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses,
***All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty***
On August 1, 2025, Louisiana enacted Senate Bill 154 (Act 41), making it unlawful to possess, produce, or distribute kratom in the state. The law classifies kratom’s primary alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, as Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substances, placing them in the same legal category as heroin and LSD.
The legislation followed growing public health concerns, as families across Louisiana have reported cases of addiction and loss linked to kratom use. In St. Tammany Parish, a 36-year-old woman’s 2023 death prompted a coroner’s public health warning regarding the dangers of the substance, particularly 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.”
Sheriff Smith urges anyone with information about individuals or businesses selling kratom or other illegal drugs in St. Tammany Parish to submit a tip through the Sheriff’s Office website at www.STPSO.com or by calling the narcotics tip line at 1-888-GO-2-JAIL.
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