Customs Agents Seize Nearly 850 Pounds of Khat in Travelers' Luggage at Maryland Airport

Federal customs officials at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport recently intercepted a significant quantity of khat, a stimulant plant, totaling nearly 850 pounds, found within the luggage of two individuals arriving from London.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the two U.S. citizens, both residents of New York, landed at the Maryland airport on August 13. They were subsequently directed for a more thorough secondary inspection.

During the detailed baggage screening, officers initially observed what appeared to be an extensive amount of tea leaves. Subsequent testing confirmed the substance was khat, scientifically known as Catha edulis.

Authorities reported that each of the travelers possessed six soft-sided suitcases, all packed with the substance. The total weight of the seized material was approximately 847 pounds, carrying an estimated street value of $100,000.

The individuals were released following the seizure, as the investigation remains ongoing, CBP stated.

Understanding Khat: A Controlled Substance

Khat, also referred to as Abyssinian tea or African salad, is a plant predominantly cultivated in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is typically chewed for its stimulant effects, which are comparable to amphetamines, according to CBP. The dried leaves can also be brewed into a tea with similar stimulating properties.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies khat as containing two central nervous system stimulants: cathinone, designated as a Schedule I controlled substance, and cathine, categorized as a Schedule IV controlled substance.

Potential symptoms of khat toxicity, as outlined by the DEA, include delusions, diminished appetite, respiratory difficulties, and elevated blood pressure and heart rate.

The World Health Organization formally recognized khat as a drug of abuse in 1980.

Recent Seizures and Enforcement Efforts

This recent interception occurred merely days after CBP officers at the same airport confiscated another 412 pounds of khat, which was discovered in unclaimed traveler baggage.

In the previous incident, CBP reported that officers' actions apparently "spooked" a suspected smuggler, who then fled the inspection area, abandoning the khat.

Adam Rottman, CBP's Baltimore Area Port Director, commented on the seizure, noting that while substantial amounts of khat are frequently encountered in commercial shipments, discovering such a large volume within individual traveler baggage is somewhat uncommon, and ultimately proves no more successful for smugglers.

"Khat is illegal and poses severe health risks to users. CBP will continue to seize khat and other dangerous drugs when we encounter it and we will work with our law enforcement partners to hold smugglers accountable."

According to agency figures, CBP officers confiscated approximately 46,000 pounds of khat during the previous fiscal year, and nearly 20,000 pounds have been seized thus far in the current fiscal year.