Pubdate: Sat, 25 Feb 2012
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2012 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Jeff Davis

SEIZURES ON THE RISE FOR KHAT, DRUG FAVOURED BY AFRICAN DIASPORA

Canadian border authorities seize millions of dollars worth of an
addictive drug known as "khat" at airports each year, but police
services say the market is limited for a niche drug that isn't
commonly available on the street.

Most Canadians go their whole lives without hearing about the narcotic
leaf, but within Canada's African diaspora there are many devotees of
this ancient plant.

Khat has been chewed in the Horn of Africa and the lands surrounding
the Red Sea for thousands of years. Known to induce euphoria - and a
feeling of wakefulness in users - it is deeply ingrained in the
cultures of Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen, Kenya and Uganda.

Though it is legal in many African countries, in Canada khat is
classified as a "schedule four" drug, which is lowest classification
category for illegal drugs.

Cocaine and heroin are schedule one, for example, while cannabis is
schedule two.

Jerry Jesso is chief of intelligence for the Canadian Border Services
Agency and oversees drug interdiction programs at ports of entry
across Canada.

Whereas 15 years ago there was no khat smuggling to speak of in
Canada, these days it's a different story.

"We seize khat probably two to three times per day, on average," he
said.

Khat comes in two predominant forms: twigs and leaves.

The outer bark of the more potent twigs are stripped off with the
teeth then chewed, while the milder leaves are chewed whole.

Due to its bitter taste, khat is traditionally chewed into a paste
with peanuts, resulting in a more palatable taste and texture.
Nowadays, chewing gum is also used.

The active ingredients in khat, whose scientific name is Catha Edulis,
are cathinone and cathine.

These are naturally occurring amphetamines, and the World Health
Organization says there are no medical uses for khat.

A major producer of the world's khat is Kenya, where the plant's
production is the basis for a vibrant export economy.

Unlike other generally dry places near the Horn of Africa, the fertile
volcanic soils of Mount Kenya receive enough rain to produce bumper
crops year round.

Every day, small planes stuffed with freshly cut khat from Kenya's
Meru county fly directly to the United Kingdom, where tens of
thousands of eager addicts are itching for their daily fix.

"It's legal in the U.K.," Jesso said. "They'll ship it there, then
break down shipment before reshipping it on to Canada."

For khat smugglers, speed is the name of the game.

After only five days, the narcotic potency of khat dissipates, meaning
any delay in shipping puts the profits of exporters and importers in
jeopardy.

"They'll cut it, wrap it in banana leaf and wet it to try to keep it
cool and maintain its freshness," said Jesso. "But within 72 hours
that stuff gets real nasty, as it breaks down and starts to rot."

A bundle of khat - a daily dose for an addict, but enough for a number
of casual users - can be bought for a few dollars in Africa. By the
time it gets to Canada, however, the retail price goes as high at $70
or $80.

Due to the volume that must be chewed to get high, Jesso said, khat is
among the cheapest drugs out there on a per-gram basis.

For this reason, smugglers have to move large quantities to turn a
profit.

"Twenty kilograms is worth less than $10,000," he said.

"To make it worth their while they have to move large quantities of
it."

CBSA spokesperson Luc Labelle said that $55 million of khat have been
seized in the past five years.
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MAP posted-by: Matt