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After a year-long investigation into suspected illegal narcotics trafficking, the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office arrested two individuals and seized a large quantity of Schedule I controlled substances, along with over $318,000 in U.S. Currency, according to Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr.

The investigation began when the Narcotics Unit received tips about illegal activities at Elsie's Auto and Truck Plaza on Highway 1 in Shreveport. Detectives found that the business manager, Arshad Bhimani, allegedly sold concealed Schedule I kratom products to customers, hiding them in a back room to avoid detection.

Search warrants were approved for Elsie's Auto and Truck Plaza and a residence on Waterbury Drive in Bossier City. The searches resulted in the seizure of various illegal substances, including:
- 1,080 pills of 7-Hydroxymitragynine
- 450 dosage units of 7 Star
- 210 dosage units of Pressed
- 293 dosage units of O.P.M.S.
- 36 ounces of UPass synthetic urine
- 1,530 mL of O.P.M.S. Liquid
- 24 dosage units of ON7 
- 27 grams of 1836 Kratom
- Two Hydroxie packs

Karim Merchant, 65, was arrested in Bossier City and charged with possession with intent to distribute. Arshad Bhimani, 39, was arrested in Caddo Parish and booked in at the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, where he was booked in for two counts of manufacturing/distributing a Schedule I substance, one count of possession of a Schedule I substance with intent to distribute, and one count of unlawfully supplying a product for the purpose of falsifying a screening test.

The investigation continues, and the Caddo Sheriff's Office thanks all agencies involved for their collaboration. CPSO remains dedicated to dismantling illegal drug operations that threaten community safety.

For questions regarding this press release, please contact Breck Scott