Wildomar shop owner suspected of selling Kratom products to kids

WILDOMAR, Calif. (KESQ) - A Wildomar business owner allegedly caught selling kratom-based products to teenagers in violation of local and state law was out of custody today.

The suspect, a 46-year-old man from Fontana, was arrested last week following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation at his shop in the 22000 block of Palomar Street. He was booked into the Byrd Detention Center on suspicion of possession of kratom products for sale, possession of brass knuckles and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

He posted bond in an unspecified amount and was released before the weekend.  

According to sheriff's officials, after receiving tips from unnamed parties, deputies from the Lake Elsinore station began investigating whether the suspect was selling and marketing kratom derivatives to juveniles.   

Deputies soon confirmed that he was, investigators alleged, adding that a search warrant was served Thursday at his business, leading to the seizure of "kratom pills, kratom powder, flavored nicotine pouches, flavored loose-leaf tobacco, psilocybin mushrooms ... (altogether) valued at $285,000," according to an agency statement.  

There was no word on how many underage customers allegedly purchased the items, or for how long the sales went on.   

Although kratom-based products are not designated as federally controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, they're illegal to manufacture and distribute under the California Health & Safety Code. Under a county ordinance approved last year, they also specifically cannot be marketed to minors.   

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has not approved kratom derivatives as dietary supplements.

The 7-OH kratom products derived from biosynthetic methods have been highlighted for potential adverse health impacts. The products are based on kratom leaf or kratom leaf extracts originating from a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia, officials said. Their properties have pain-relieving influences similar to morphine and heroin.  

Background information on the suspect was unavailable.