An undercover Hillsborough County operation that quietly kicked off after a late-January tip ended last weekend with three people in custody and a stash of drugs taken off local streets. Deputies say investigators spent weeks working deep undercover, making controlled buys that set up a search warrant served last Saturday. Local lab testing later confirmed the haul included synthetic cannabinoids and concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine, and deputies say they also recovered more than $11,000 in suspected drug proceeds.
Arrests and evidence recovered
According to the Tampa Free Press, the probe began after a concerned citizen called deputies on Jan. 28, and investigators then "worked deep undercover for weeks" while buying products later tested by a local lab. The operation culminated when Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies executed a search warrant and arrested 22-year-old Mohammad Al Youssef, 19-year-old Samantha Gerts and 21-year-old Abdallah Abdel-Kader III at the scene.
Investigators say they found marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids and more than 100 tablets of 7-hydroxymitragynine inside the location, along with over $11,000 in cash believed to be proceeds from illegal sales.
Why 7-OH is a focus
Concentrated 7-hydroxymitragynine - commonly called 7-OH - has drawn extra scrutiny because it binds to opioid receptors and can be significantly more potent than the kratom plant itself. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended scheduling certain 7-OH products in July 2025 and has issued warning letters and consumer advisories about concentrated formulations, per the agency.
Florida followed up in August 2025 by adding 7-OH to the state’s Schedule I list, a move officials said would help regulators and law enforcement pull dangerous products from store shelves, according to Axios and federal communications.
Investigation remains active
The three suspects now face charges tied to the sale and possession of controlled substances, and the sheriff’s office told the Tampa Free Press the investigation remains active as deputies continue processing evidence.
HCSO has not yet released formal charging documents or bail information. Prosecutors are expected to review the case as detectives submit lab reports and other case material for filing decisions.
Local enforcement and wider action
The arrests land amid a broader crackdown on concentrated 7-OH and synthetic cannabinoid products. The FDA and U.S. Marshals coordinated a large seizure of 7-OH units late last year, and state inspectors have removed thousands of packages from retail outlets across Florida.
Closer to home, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has launched several undercover operations this year - from human-trafficking stings to retail-theft details - in a clear push toward more proactive enforcement. For a sense of that approach, see Hoodline’s coverage of the 89-suspect sex sting that recently made headlines.
Legal implications
Under Florida law, selling, manufacturing or possessing a controlled substance with intent to sell is prohibited and can carry felony penalties. Trafficking offenses come with mandatory minimum prison terms and steeper sentences under Chapter 893 of the Florida Statutes.
For specifics, see Florida Statutes section 893.13 on prohibited acts and penalties and section 893.135 on trafficking.
Booking records and formal charges should become available through the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and the State Attorney’s Office as the case moves forward. Anyone with information related to the investigation was asked to contact HCSO’s tip line, the agency said.
