It's an exotic drug that has become common in our neighbourhoods. "Khat" is grown on the other side of the world but demand for it in our city has drug dealers shipping it into Edmonton and Alberta much more regularly.
It's grown in parts of the middle east and africa. Khat is actually legal in some countries overseas...but illegal in Canada. Detective Guy Pilon said that's because the drug has dangerous side affects.
"It stimulates them, it jacks them up, but also as you use it, they become more aggressive. So, as they use it more they become more aggressive and violent."
The exotic drug has become more common in recent years in Edmonton and the rest of Alberta. 50 kilograms were seized at the Edmonton international airport on Wednesday, 250 bundles were found at the Calgary airport in January, eight kilograms were seized in Calgary last November and 280 grams of Khat were taken off the street by police in Fort Mcmurray last summer.
"Canada Border Services is seizing more Khat in the past several years than before."
According to the RCMP the drug has become big business for gangs with ties to East Africa and the Middle East. Pilon said Khat is mainly sold to Canadians who come from countries where the drug is widespread.
"It's predominant within the African and Yemenis community and Somali community. They have some religious ties to the drug as well, so that's why it's predominant amongst them."
Khat is typically shipped to alberta by air canada border services relies heavily on tips to catch dealers who are trying to smuggle the drug into the province.
That's what happened Wednesday when the 50 kilo's were found inside a couple suitcases.
"There's typically minimal concealment and in this case the officers identified the individuals. They were referred for further examination. Officers opened up the suitcases and it was full of Khat."
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