U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have seized more than 4,000 pounds of khat since the beginning of the year, stopping the illegal drug from reaching communities in the United States.
Khat, also known as Abyssinian tea or African salad, is a plant that contains cathinone, a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.
In four distinct enforcement actions this year, CBP officers in Atlanta intercepted khat in cargo shipments originating from India, the Netherlands, and Nigeria, as well as concealed in the suitcases of two U.S. citizens arriving on a flight from Paris.
“CBP officers in Atlanta are on the front lines every day, identifying and intercepting illegal narcotics before they can reach communities across the United States,” said Pedro Ortiz, Acting Port Director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Atlanta. “The seizure of more than 4,000 pounds of khat this year reflects the seriousness of this threat and the unwavering commitment of our officers to enforce federal law, disrupt illicit drug movement, and protect the American public from dangerous controlled substances.”
The seized khat, with an estimated street value of approximately $500,000, will be destroyed.