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2 clusters · 11 sources · 13 days · First seen · Last updated

US synthetic kratom investigation and fatalities

Overview

Authorities in several US states are investigating the distribution of potent, semi-synthetic kratom compounds following reports of fatalities. In Utah, health officials linked four deaths over a four-month period to mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGPI) and dihydro-7-hydroxymitragynine (MGM-15). These substances are reportedly sold in products deceptively marketed as herbal supplements or “kratom-free” alternatives, such as “cat’s claw” or “Buzzers” tablets.

Law enforcement efforts have expanded to include undercover operations and raids. In Tennessee, the West Tennessee Drug Task Force seized synthetic kratom during an undercover operation at a smoke shop. In San Francisco, health officials issued an alert after the city reported its first fatal overdose involving MGM-15, a substance detected in the toxicology of an adult who died in late September. Following this, the San Francisco Police Department conducted raids on multiple smoke shops, seizing hundreds of kratom products and other suspected illicit substances.

Entities

San Francisco Police Department · Drug Enforcement Administration · Utah Poison Control Center · Food and Drug Administration · West Tennessee Drug Task Force

Timeline

  1. [CRIME] 8 sources
    San Francisco reports first fatal overdose involving kratom-derived opioid

    San Francisco officials reported the first fatal overdose linked to MGM-15, a kratom-derived opioid, prompting police raids on local smoke shops selling unregulated products.

  2. [CRIME] 5 sources
    Authorities investigate synthetic kratom linked to deaths and illegal sales

    Officials are investigating the sale of dangerous, semi-synthetic kratom compounds linked to four deaths in Utah and an undercover drug bust at a Tennessee smoke shop.

Sources

freerepublic.com · internewscast.com · it-boltwise.de · kion546.com · latimes.com · nypost.com · offthepress.com · pulptastic.com · sfist.com · singtaousa.com · thecooldown.com