The Alabama Attorney General’s Office and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced the results of Operation Southern Shield, a statewide enforcement effort targeting the illegal sale of kratom-containing products at retail locations across Alabama.

The operation resulted in the execution of 83 search warrants statewide and the seizure of nearly 123,000 doses of illegal kratom products, according to a news release from the Attorney General’s Office.

Over several weeks, ALEA agents conducted undercover purchases at locations across the state before executing search warrants at retail establishments. The investigation later expanded to include wholesale distribution points, including two warehouse locations in Montgomery where additional search warrants were carried out. Investigators also identified multiple out-of-state distributors shipping illegal kratom products into Alabama.

Operation Southern Shield led to the seizure of 63,995 bottles of products containing kratom, along with approximately 59,000 additional doses recovered from the two Montgomery warehouse locations.

“Alabama will not be a marketplace for dangerous, illegal substances,” Attorney General Steve Marshall said in the release. “We gave retailers every opportunity to comply, and those who chose to ignore the law are now facing the consequences. Operation Southern Shield executed 83 search warrants across the state and seized nearly 123,000 doses of illegal kratom products. Thanks to our strong partnership with ALEA we are using every tool available to protect Alabama consumers from addictive and illegal substances in gas stations across the state.”

ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor said the operation highlighted cooperation among state and local law enforcement agencies while also uncovering a broader supply network.

“Operation Southern Shield is the result of outstanding collaboration between ALEA, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, local District Attorneys and our law enforcement partners across the state. Through this operation, investigators removed a significant quantity of illegal kratom products from Alabama communities and uncovered a broader distribution network extending beyond our state’s borders. These products have generated numerous complaints from citizens, are known to be highly addictive and are frequently packaged and marketed to attract children and young adults. Those who choose to profit from the unlawful sale of controlled substances should know that ALEA will continue to pursue these investigations aggressively. Protecting Alabama’s communities and keeping dangerous substances out of the hands of our youth remains one of our highest priorities.”

Calera Police Chief David Hyche said community concerns helped drive enforcement efforts.

“A few months back Calera PD, along with the AG’s Office, had a meeting to listen to individuals and families whose lives have been destroyed by these products. These citizens made it clear that this threat must be attacked on two fronts,” Hyche said. “Law enforcement going after those companies and individuals getting rich off other people’s misery and recovery and assistance for citizens who were trapped into addiction by products they assumed were safe.”

The investigation stemmed from citizen complaints received by Attorney General Marshall’s Office and ALEA beginning in May. Consumers reported that products sold at gas stations across Alabama were highly addictive. Undercover purchases and laboratory testing conducted by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences confirmed the products contained mitragynine, commonly known as kratom, which is classified as a controlled substance under Alabama Code Sec. 20-2-93.

Following the findings, several district attorneys’ offices issued cease-and-desist letters to businesses and companies selling kratom products, including one product identified by name, Boujee Bliss. Officials said the product largely disappeared from store shelves after the legal action.

In January, the Attorney General’s Office and ALEA began receiving complaints about new products with similar addictive qualities being sold at gas stations statewide. Additional undercover purchases and forensic testing confirmed the newer products also contained kratom.

In March, after coordinating with local district attorneys across Alabama, the Attorney General’s Office issued a new cease-and-desist order identifying additional kratom-contaminated products. The order was distributed to every retail location in the state holding an Alabama Beverage Control license.

Despite those warnings, investigators identified retailers that continued selling illegal kratom products. In May, ALEA launched Operation Southern Shield to seize the products as part of an ongoing investigation that could lead to criminal and civil action, officials said.