U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized approximately 847 pounds of khat from two travelers arriving from London at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland. The two U.S. citizens from New York allegedly carried the material in 12 soft-sided suitcases, with each traveler carrying six bags. The khat was estimated to have a street value of about $100,000. The travelers were released pending further investigation.
The seizure occurred on Aug. 13 after the travelers were referred for secondary inspection. Officers initially found what appeared to be tea leaves, but testing identified the material as khat, also known as Abyssinian tea or African salad. The discovery followed a separate seizure of 412 pounds of khat from unclaimed baggage at the same airport.
| 1) | Airport inspection uncovers a large khat shipment |
| 2) | Two travelers carried the material in 12 suitcases |
| 3) | Khat contains federally controlled stimulants |
| 4) | The seizure followed another case at the airport |
| 5) | Authorities describe baggage smuggling as unusual |
Airport inspection uncovers a large khat shipment
CBP officers made the seizure at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Aug. 13. The two travelers had arrived from London and were referred for a secondary inspection, where officers examined their baggage more closely. The initial visual assessment suggested the bags contained a large quantity of tea leaves. Subsequent testing determined that the plant material was khat, or Catha edulis.
The seized material weighed approximately 847 pounds. Authorities estimated its street value at roughly $100,000. The travelers were released while the investigation continues, and no additional outcome was provided.
Two travelers carried the material in 12 suitcases
According to CBP, both travelers were U.S. citizens from New York. Each allegedly carried six soft-sided suitcases, producing a total of 12 bags containing khat. The size of the shipment made the case notable because the material was transported as passenger baggage rather than in a commercial shipment.
The inspection illustrates how customs officers can refer arriving passengers and their luggage for additional examination. In this case, the substance was identified through testing after its appearance initially suggested a legal plant product.
Khat contains federally controlled stimulants
Khat is typically grown in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is commonly chewed for amphetamine-like effects, while dried leaves can also be boiled to make a stimulant tea. The plant contains cathinone, a Schedule I controlled substance, and cathine, a Schedule IV controlled substance, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Reported symptoms of khat toxicity include delusions, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and increased blood pressure and heart rate. The World Health Organization classified khat as a drug of abuse in 1980. CBP said the substance is illegal and presents significant health risks.
The seizure followed another case at the airport
The discovery came only days after CBP officers at the same Maryland airport seized another 412 pounds of khat from unclaimed traveler baggage. In that case, the agency said officers disrupted a suspected smuggling attempt when a person fled the inspection station and left the bags behind.
The two incidents indicate that khat has recently been encountered in substantial quantities at the airport. CBP reported seizing about 46,000 pounds of khat during the previous fiscal year and nearly 20,000 pounds during the current fiscal year to date.
Authorities describe baggage smuggling as unusual
Adam Rottman, the Baltimore area port director, said officers have seen substantial quantities of khat moved through commercial shipments, but described a load of this size in passenger baggage as unusual.
“Customs and Border Protection officers have observed substantial quantities of khat being smuggled in commercial shipments, but smuggling loads of this volume inside traveler baggage is a bit unusual, and not any more successful,” said Adam Rottman.
Rottman added that CBP would continue seizing khat and other dangerous drugs and would work with law enforcement partners to hold suspected smugglers accountable. The investigation into the latest seizure remains ongoing.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | CBP seized approximately 847 pounds of khat at a Maryland airport. |
| 2 | Two New York residents allegedly carried the material in 12 suitcases after flying from London. |
| 3 | The shipment was valued at about $100,000. |
| 4 | Khat contains the controlled stimulants cathinone and cathine. |
Summary
The seizure highlights the continued efforts by customs officers to intercept khat entering the United States through passenger travel and commercial shipments. The material was concealed in ordinary-looking luggage but was identified through testing during a secondary inspection. The two travelers remain under investigation, while CBP has pledged continued enforcement against khat smuggling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is khat?
Khat is a plant grown mainly in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its leaves are chewed or used to make tea for stimulant effects.
How much khat was seized?
CBP seized approximately 847 pounds from 12 suitcases. Authorities estimated the material’s street value at about $100,000.
Where did the seizure occur?
The seizure occurred at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland after two travelers arrived from London.
What happened to the travelers?
The two U.S. citizens from New York were released pending further investigation, according to CBP.
