Topic: Khat an overnight sensation?
started by: Liberal
Posted by Liberal on Mar. 31 2006,10:37 pm
| Quote |
Khat, a leafy narcotic grown in Africa, has been seized in record amounts in the Twin Cities for the past six months, according to investigators in Dakota, Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Because its tobacco-like leaf begins to lose potency after 48 hours, the illegal stimulant is shipped from Africa or Europe by overnight mail, making suburban UPS and Federal Express stores unwitting drug transporters. On Thursday, authorities intercepted 40 pounds of khat (pronounced "cot") at a Federal Express site in Maple Grove. The intended destination was in St. Paul. And in late February, Moorhead police were tipped off to a 22-pound shipment of khat Because of its fairly recent appearance in the suburbs, some officers don't recognize khat for what it is. Moorhead narcotics Detective Brad Stuvland said he has known patrol officers who have come across khat and thrown it out, not realizing that the small bundle of leaves and twigs, packaged in banana leaves to preserve moisture, warrants a charge of fifth-degree drug possession. Because khat helps suppress appetite, some Twin Cities police are accustomed to coming across the narcotic during Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. The month, which shifts with the lunar calendar, began last year in early October. Officers expect khat use to wane after Ramadan, but that didn't happen this year. "We're seeing more and more activity at the beginning of this year," Nelson said. "Stats are going through the roof." Each "piece" or "bundle" of khat sells for an estimated $25 to $50 on the street. Ramsey County investigators seized eight shipments in March, totaling more than 260 pounds. < complete Pioneer Press story > |
Next thing you now the kids in the suburbs will be buying bundles of leaves and twigs, wrapped in banana leaves.
I wonder if weird insects from Africa are getting shipped in those bundles of leaves?
Posted by TameThaTane on Apr. 01 2006,1:23 am
Native people may not bring in their own customary herbs! 
They shall stick to tobacco and fire water just like we made the Indians do!
This here's a dry county bwoy!
Only cigs and booze need apply.
Posted by allergic to bogus on Apr. 01 2006,1:26 am
Does this Khat have the same effects on an individual as marijuana? Gee, just think we may have a new headliner topic for TTT to pounce on!!! Quick, TTT, get the door, I think theres a package for you!!!!
Posted by Liberal on Apr. 01 2006,12:29 pm
If you read about the side effects and the effects it has on the body it doesn't seem to be much worse than a lot of OTC diet drugs.I wonder how any Americans would break the law if caffeine were made an illegal drug?
Posted by TameThaTane on Apr. 01 2006,2:02 pm
Every plant we demonize must become the enemy of man. Plants are bad people too...No, it's the not the plant that is bad, it's those religious people who use it in their Ramadan rituals that are really bad.. I heard tell it's similar to devil worship so those leaves and twigs must be part of satan's salad.
Posted by TheTruth on Apr. 01 2006,7:14 pm
| Quote (TameThaTane @ April 01 2006,2:02pm) |
| it's those religious people who use it in their Ramadan rituals that are really bad. |
It is not part of the Ramadan ritual, only the weak use it to fight off the hunger when they are not allowed to eat during Ramadan.
Posted by TheTruth on Apr. 01 2006,7:17 pm
Should taxpayers money and law enforcement resources be used to fight this drug?I can think of better ways to spend taxpayers money, and I can think of better things law enforcement should worry about.
Posted by TameThaTane on Apr. 01 2006,7:43 pm
You bet! The cops want a new addition to the drug war. It's called job security. And they want the ability to seize any and all assets of said users and dealers. They get all excited rubbing their hands together at the thought of it.Then DARE wants to create a drug program around it and teach it to little kids using "kid friendly" deputies. Then Mamma, Geo, Cheeba and other drug warriors wanna promote that deputy for job well done!
Calgon...take me away...
Posted by Mamma on Apr. 01 2006,9:32 pm
Have you been smoking that crap again. Where did anyone say he should have a promotion. I'm just trying to find out how on earth you think you can fire him now. He did his sentence. I await your answer Mr. Brilliant
Posted by TameThaTane on Apr. 01 2006,9:40 pm
Wrong thread toothless.
Posted by dutch15 on Apr. 01 2006,9:55 pm
what sentence did he serve...but you are right it is to late to fire him,it just makes me wonder about the other people he works with ,i know if somebody did that in the places ive worked at,he would have to quit or be aloner and that would have to hurt the police force
Posted by TameThaTane on Apr. 02 2006,2:38 pm
Not to late to fire the guy that should've fired him.
Posted by Berserker on Apr. 02 2006,2:59 pm
Its never to late to fire him. I understand there are regulations to this and all, but trust me it is never to late. People get fired all the time for minor slights, it could get ugly and have lawyers involved but it is never to late to fire. As for the question of to fight this "new" drug or not, hey what eer, the government will decide not the people, and I don't forsee the government loosing the chance to seize assets and persons in order to get the big gold star that they were successful capturing a "criminal". Let's see now instead of the 4 billion spent on the drug war by the 4th month of the new year we could escalate to 6 billion.
Posted by TameThaTane on Apr. 02 2006,3:34 pm
Now you're learning the game.
Posted by TheTruth on Apr. 04 2006,2:56 pm
I remember about 5 years ago many Somali used to chew khat at work in the factory I worked at.Only the younger ones though (age early 20's)
After 9/11 the Khat users moved?