Pubdate: Sat, 28 Jun 2014
Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock, AR)
Copyright: 2014 Associated Press
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Page: 4A
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MIDEAST CHEWY LEAF CENTRAL TO CHARGES

NEW YORK (AP) - An international drug ring flooded parts of New York, 
Massachusetts and Ohio with several tons of a drug-containing plant 
known as khat that came from Yemen, Kenya and Ethiopia, authorities 
said Friday in announcing criminal charges against 17 defendants.

The khat, a plant containing controlled substances similar to 
amphetamines, was shipped to the United States through the United 
Kingdom, China, Holland and Belgium, according to New York Attorney 
General Eric Schneiderman and New York City Police Commissioner 
William Bratton.

The suspects were facing arraignment in a 215-count indictment that 
was unsealed in Brooklyn's state Supreme Court. The suspects lived in 
New York City and Rochester, N.Y.; Everett, Mass.; and Blaine, Minn. 
One suspect was identified as a resident of England. Prosecutors say 
the ring laundered proceeds in Minnesota and wired the money to 
locations in Dubai and England.

The arrests follow a nearly year-long investigation, authorities said.

Khat is popular in parts of the Middle East and Africa, but it's 
classified as a dangerous drug in the United States. Users chew the 
leaf, producing a mild high.

Prosecutors said that among its active ingredients are cathinone and 
cathine, which are classified as controlled substances.

Investigators said surveillance video showed some of those involved 
hiding large quantities of khat in various buildings.

They would then put the khat in approximately 25-pound boxes for redistribution.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom