Khat seized by CBP. Source: cbp.gov

Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) seized 410 pounds of khat from Nigeria last week. The shipment was labeled as “dry moringa oleifera” but upon inspection the officers found seven boxes containing 80 bags of a green leafy product. Samples were submitted to a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) botanist who determined the substance was khat. The khat is to be destroyed by CBP.

Khat possession and use in the US is illegal and CBP officers are always on the look ouf for khat shipments.

Since 1980, khat has been classified as a drug when chewed for its stimulant effect. Most of the khat produced is either in East Africa or the Arabian peninsula.