Photos: Humboldt County Drug Task Force.

Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

Earlier this year, Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) Agents received information that local tobacco shops were selling flavored tobacco, “7-OH” (7- hydroxymitragyna, mitragyna, and Kratom), and Kratom products. Selling these products is a violation of state codes and local regulations. On November 5th, 2026, HCDTF with the assistance of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) POP Team, the HCSO Marijuana Enforcement Team, and the Eureka Police Department, served search warrants on three smoke shops in the Eureka area.

  • Eureka Smoke Shop- 1008 West Ave, Eureka
  • Cigarettes Cheaper- 2810 E Street, Eureka
  • EZ Smoke Shop- 514 W 14th St, Eureka

At all three locations, undercover agents successfully purchased Kratom products prior to serving the search warrant. Upon service of the search warrant, HCDTF Agents located a large amount of flavored tobacco being sold and products containing Kratom also being sold. These Kratom and 7-OH products were found to be in the form of drinks and in pill form. All products containing illegal substances were seized for evidence. Marijuana packed for sale was also located at the EZ Smoke Shop on W 14th Street. 

An employee from each location that sold Kratom/7-OH products to undercover HCDTF Agents were issued citations with the following charges:

  • HS110620- Sale, offering for sale, or holding for sale adulterated food (Kratom/7-OH).
  • Eureka Municipal Code 123.04- Unlawful sale, offering for sale, or possession with intent to sell flavored tobacco products.

All three locations are owned by the same people- Mohammed Nazar and Ratib Norzei. The following charges for Nazar and Norzei will be requested:

  • HS110620- Sale, offering for sale, or holding for sale adulterated food (Kratom/7-OH).
  • Eureka Municipal Code 123.04- Unlawful sale, offering for sale, or possession with intent to sell flavored tobacco products.
  • HS11359- Possession of marijuana for sales

Kratom is the common name for Mitragyna speciosa, which is a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia and nearby countries. In the Kratom leaf, naturally occurring 7-OH is found in trace amounts. A chemical extraction process is used to convert the mitragynine into 7-OH. 7-OH is commonly referred to as “gas station heroin” due to the effects it has when consumed. These products are highly addictive and cause the same effects as stimulants when consumed in low-doses and mirror opiates when consumed in higher doses. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has declared Kratom/7-OH supplements illegal and considers them unsafe in any form. The CDPH sent notice to all California licensed tobacco retailers advising of the prohibition of Kratom and 7-OH products.

On July 1st, 2026, the Drug Enforcement Administration released the following notice to temporarily place 7-OH related products and related substances into Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act.

Humboldt County has already begun to see the negative effects of Kratom/7-OH products. The chemical overdose process in a user’s body is similar to an opioid overdose and can be deadly.

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.