KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — The United States Department of Justice announced on Tuesday that two warehouses in the Kansas City metro had thousands of illegal products containing 7-hydroxymitragine (7-OH) seized as part of a government operation.
According to a news release, the Justice Department, alongside the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seized approximately 73,000 units of 7-OH products at three warehouses, two of which were in the Kansas City area.
The government alleged that the two local firms had previously received warnings that the distribution of 7-OH products was illegal under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; however, the firms continued to sell the products.
As a result, the U.S. Marshals Service carried out the seizures with help from the FDA at local facilities operated by Shaman Botanicals LLC and Relax Relief Rejuvenate Trading LLC.
In July 2025, the federal government recognized 7-OH products as a “dangerous and potentially addictive” substance. This led the FDA to issue these letters to businesses, warning them to stop selling the products under the Controlled Substances Act.
According to previous reporting, 7-OH derives from a tropical plant known as Kratom. It’s a psychoactive compound that has a similar effect on the brain as opioids.
The FDA has repeatedly said it wants to classify 7-OH as a Schedule 1 drug and that products containing the substance are not approved for medical use or dietary means.
“Products containing 7-OH are illegal under federal law,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division.
“We have seen numerous reports of harmful health consequences in consumers, including children, who have taken 7-OH products. Working with our partners at FDA, we will take action against anyone participating in the illegal distribution of these products.”
U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price for the Western District of Missouri added, “The 7-OH products seized are illegal under federal law and pose risks to consumers, including children.”
“We are committed to helping American consumers protect themselves from dangerous chemicals posing as health products. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ensure illegal products never enter the stream of commerce and pursue all possible civil and criminal remedies against those who violate federal laws.”
According to the FDA, some of the harmful effects that have been reported following the use of 7-OH or Kratom derivatives include “addiction, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal distress, insomnia, seizures and withdrawal symptoms – such as restlessness, body aches, fatigue, irritability and cold sweats.”
For more information about the Enforcement and Affirmative Litigation Branch, as well as its efforts, click here.
Additionally, if you believe someone is being negatively impacted by a 7-OH product, the FDA says to call the Poison Help Line at 1 (800) 222-1222 or visit Poisonhelp.org. If someone is unresponsive, dial 911 immediately.