Recently the Federal
Government has engaged in a number of major investigations and
arrests related to Khat (prounounced "cot"). If you or someone
you know has been arrested for possession, sale, or trafficking in
khat, then you would be well advised to seek a defense lawyer who
knows what khat is, the cultures of which it is a part, and how to
deal with khat accusations.
In the summer of
2006, in a self-described "coordinated takedown", the DEA and
other law enforcement agencies unveiled "Operation Somalia
Express," in which 44 people were charged in the same
indictment, and the government seized 25 tons of khat worth an
estimated $10 million.
Khat has been
harvested and used as a mild stimulant for centuries in Africa
and the Arabian Peninsula. In some locations, people have
been chewing khat "socially" for longer than humans have been
drinking coffee. Typically the fresh leaves are chewed or
dried and used in tea creating a mild state of euphoria and
stimulation.
It is often used by Muslims in
Ethiopia to aid in fasting. It is estimated that several million
people are frequent users of khat.
Khat has not been approved for
medical use in the United States. Emerging populations of
emigrant cultures, however, have brought the khat habit with
them. Ignoring the cultural and potential religious
implications, the Federal Government's position has been that
khat is no different from other stimulants with similar chemical
compositions. Khat is also frequently compared with
the perfectly legal stimulant, caffeine. At this
point, however, judging from the high-profile "operation somalia
express" "coordinated takedown", khat seems to be the focus of
extraordinary scrutiny and concern.
Here are a number of quick facts
about Khat excerpted from a
press
release from the DEA website:
Street Names: Khat has over 40 street names to include
Abyssinian Tea, African Salad, Bushman’s Tea, Chat, Gat, Kat,
Miraa, Oat, Qat, Somali Tea, Tohai, Tschat
Description: Catha Edulis is a shrub (6-12 feet in
height) which is grown in southern Arabia and Eastern Africa,
and primarily in the countries of Somolia, Yemen, Kenya and
Ethiopia. Also known at khat, qat, and quat (pronounced cot).
The leaves of this plant contain the alkaloids cathine and
cathinone, and are chewed for the stimulant effects.
How is Khat abused? Khat is ingested by chewing the
leaves-as is done with loose tobacco. Dried Khat leaves can be
brewed in tea or added to food.
What are the licit uses of khat? There is no legitimate
use for khat in the United States.
CATHINE: An alkaloid which is a Schedule IV
drug under the CSA.
CATHINONE: An alkaloid which is a Schedule I drug under
the CSA. Cathinone is 10 times more potent than Cathine but
dissipates within 48 hours of harvest.
What is an alkaloid? Any of various physiologically
active, nitrogen-containing organic bases obtained from plants
such as nicotine, quinine, atropine, cocaine, and morphine.
Within 48
hours of harvest Khat’s chemical composition breaks down and at
that point Khat contains only Cathine, the schedule IV
substance.
What effects does Khat have on a user? After ingestion
the user experiences immediate increase in blood pressure and
heart rate. It is a stimulant which effects begin to subside
after about 90 minutes to 3 hours, but can last 24 hours.
Who uses Khat? Khat is accepted within the Somali,
Kenyan, Ethiopian, and Yemeni cultures in the U.S. and is used
by members of this immigrant community. Typically, only the
males from these cultures use the drug.
What are the risks? Individuals who abuse khat
typically experience a state of mild depression following
periods of prolonged use. Taken in excess khat causes extreme
thirst, hyperactivity, insomnia, and loss of appetite. Khat can
reduce the user’s motivation and can cause manic behavior with
grandiose delusions, paranoia, and hallucinations. Khat can
cause damage to the nervous, respiratory, circulatory, and
digestive systems.
How much is available in the United States? The
availability of khat in the United States has been increasing
since 1995. According to the Federal-wide Drug Seizure System (FDSS),
law enforcement seizures of khat increased from 14 metric tons
in 1995 to over 37 metric tons in 2001. During the first six
months of 2002, nearly 30 metric tons of khat was seized. El
Paso Intelligence Center reported that law enforcement seized
32, 39, 37, 54, 47, and 32 metric tons of khat in 2000, 2001,
2002, 2003, 2004, and through September 2005, respectively.
How much does it cost to manufacture? Khat is purchased
from farmers in the horn of Africa region for about $1 per
kilogram. Warlords operating in this area use their planes to
ship the khat to countries in Europe, where khat is still legal.
The khat is sold to middlemen for $200/kg, a profit of $199 per
kilogram. The drugs are then shipped to the United States and
elsewhere.
How much does Khat sell for in the United States? Khat
generally sells for $300-$600 per kilogram or $30 to $60 per
bundle (which is 40 leafed twigs measuring 12-15 inches in
length).
How is khat shipped to United States? Khat is either
shipped using couriers who can put between 20 and 140 kilograms
in their suitcases or sent via express mail in boxes containing
9-25 kilograms of khat.
Where do the profits go? Evidence suggests the money
made from the sale of khat is moving back to Europe and the
Middle East.
