Nearly 1,9 tons of Khat leaves imported illegally via postal services

Customs officers and sniffer dog checked Khat leaves shipment

Through collecting information and setting a plan, the Anti-drug Enforcement Team collaborated with Team 3 - Customs Branch of Expressage in tracking 2 companies and more than a dozen suspicious individuals in importing a kind of dried leaf from Kenya and Ethiopia which contrains Cathinone and Cathine (a controlled form of cocaine under the provision of Decree 82/2013/NĐ-CP on 19-7-2013 issued the list of drugs and precursors by the Government) via non-commercial gifts and declared as green tea, herb leaves, black tea etc.

Through the test result of 129 imported parcels via HCM Post Office from these companies and individuals in June 2016 and based on assessment conclusions of the Criminal Science Institute (C54) - Ministry of Public Security in HCMC, the inspection team KH31 has made 19 violated records, seized 1.865 kg of imported dried leaves containing Cathinone and Cathine (usually called “Khat” leaf)

Therefore, up to 30 June 2016, implementing the Plan No. 31/KH-KSMT, the Anti-drug Enforcement Team in collaboration with Customs Branch has seized a total of more than 2,8 tons of Khat leaves imported illegally through Tan Son Nhat airport and HCM Post Office.

Currently, the case is a being handled by Drugs-related crime and Investigation Police Department (C47B) - Ministry of Public Security for further investigation under the authority.

Here are some photos of the Khat leaves shipment in the case.

Screening image of Khat's leaves in the shipment. Photo: Le Thu

Khat leaves is imported via airport. Photo: Le Thu

Dozens package courier sent by mail. Photo: Le Thu

Each package clearly stated the recipient's name. Photo: Le Thu