MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced the results of Operation Southern Shield, a statewide enforcement effort that resulted in 83 search warrants being executed and nearly 123,000 doses of illegal kratom products being seized across Alabama.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, the operation targeted the illegal sale of products containing kratom at retail locations throughout the state. Investigators conducted undercover purchases, executed search warrants at businesses and identified wholesale distribution points supplying the products.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 63,995 bottles of products containing kratom, along with approximately 59,000 additional doses recovered from two wholesale warehouse locations in Montgomery.
“Alabama will not be a marketplace for dangerous, illegal substances,” Attorney General Marshall said. “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 was the result of a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies across Alabama.
“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,” Taylor said. “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.”
The investigation began after state officials received complaints from consumers about products being sold at gas stations throughout Alabama. According to the release, consumers reported the products were highly addictive.
Laboratory testing conducted by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences confirmed the products contained mitragynine, commonly known as kratom, which officials said is a controlled substance under Alabama law.
Authorities said several district attorneys’ offices issued cease-and-desist letters to businesses and companies selling the products. One product specifically identified in the release was Boujee Bliss. Following legal action, officials said that product largely disappeared from store shelves statewide.
However, in January 2026, investigators began receiving new complaints about similar products appearing at gas stations across Alabama. Additional undercover purchases and laboratory testing again confirmed the products contained kratom.
In March, the Attorney General’s Office coordinated with district attorneys statewide to issue a new cease-and-desist order identifying additional kratom-contaminated products. The notice was sent to every retail location holding an Alabama Beverage Control license.
Despite those efforts, officials said some locations continued selling the products, prompting the launch of Operation Southern Shield in May.
Over several weeks, ALEA agents conducted undercover purchases and executed search warrants at retail establishments throughout Alabama. Investigators expanded the operation to identify wholesale suppliers, including two warehouse locations in Montgomery where additional search warrants were served.
Agents also identified multiple out-of-state distributors that were shipping illegal kratom products into Alabama.
Calera Police Chief David Hyche said the investigation was driven by concerns raised by residents and families affected by the products.
“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.”
State officials said the investigation remains ongoing and could lead to additional criminal and civil actions related to the sale and distribution of illegal kratom products in Alabama.
