Samih F. Tobia, a 46-year-old Wildomar business owner, was arrested last week following an investigation into the alleged sale of kratom-based products to teenagers. Tobia, a Fontana resident, faces suspicion of possessing kratom products for sale, possessing brass knuckles, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He was booked into the Byrd Detention Center but was released before the weekend after posting an unspecified bond.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department initiated the investigation after receiving tips from unnamed parties. Deputies from the Lake Elsinore station began looking into whether Tobia was selling and marketing kratom derivatives to juveniles from his shop located in the 22000 block of Palomar Street. Investigators alleged that deputies soon confirmed these activities.
Following the confirmation, a search warrant was served at Tobia's business on Thursday. The execution of the warrant led to a significant seizure of various illicit products. According to an agency statement, items seized included kratom pills, kratom powder, flavored nicotine pouches, flavored loose-leaf tobacco, and psilocybin mushrooms. The total value of the seized items was estimated at $285,000.
While the investigation led to substantial seizures and an arrest, sheriff's officials provided no information regarding the number of underage customers who allegedly purchased the items or the duration over which these sales reportedly occurred. Background information on Tobia was also unavailable.
The alleged sales and distribution of kratom products are in violation of both local and state laws. Although the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has not designated kratom-based products as federally controlled substances, their manufacture and distribution are illegal under the California Health & Safety Code. Furthermore, a county ordinance approved last year specifically prohibits the marketing of these products to minors.
Beyond the legal framework, there are health and regulatory concerns surrounding kratom derivatives. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has not approved kratom derivatives as dietary supplements. Officials have highlighted that 7-OH kratom products, derived from biosynthetic methods, carry "potential adverse health impacts." These products originate from kratom leaf or kratom leaf extracts, which come from a tropical plant native to Southeast Asia. Officials further noted that the properties of these derivatives have pain-relieving influences similar to morphine and heroin.