A day after officers were seen at businesses near Spillway Road and Causeway Drive, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety released details of a six-month investigation into products sold as THC and kratom. The department said officers served 14 search warrants Monday, Nov. 2, across Rankin, Madison and Hinds counties and seized more than 1,000 pounds of products they suspect were illegal.
Reservoir Daily News reported Monday that officers were seen at Exxon, Polk’s Drugs and Vape Empire near the intersection. A witness saw officers carry cardboard boxes into Vape Empire, which closed early that day. Tuesday’s release did not identify the addresses officers searched or say whether agents seized anything from those three businesses.
The investigation, called Operation Preferred Purp, included undercover purchases by local, state and federal authorities. According to the department, agents seized more than 800 pounds of THC products packaged and marketed as legal merchandise for sale at Mississippi businesses. Investigators said some of those products were also destined for resale in other states.
Agents also seized more than 200 pounds of products labeled as kratom. The department said investigators believe some of the substances in those products are federally controlled. The products will go to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation. The release did not link the seized products to any deaths.
Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said he was particularly concerned about products being marketed to teens and young adults in the county. “Our young people’s safety must come before anyone’s profits,” Bailey said.
The investigation remains open. The department said it expects additional arrests but did not name anyone arrested or list any charges in Tuesday’s announcement.
