New Narcotic to watch For: KHAT

[ldrco195 17]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khat

Cops seize shipment of the narcotic khat, a first in Philly

By VALERIE RUSS

russv@phillynews.com 215-854-5987

Philadelphia police have made their first seizure of the drug khat, a narcotic plant that is popular in East Africa and the Saudi Arabian peninsula.

Undercover narcotics cops on Wednesday seized 740 pounds of khat that was being delivered to an East Falls address, said Lt. Frank Vanore, a police spokesman. The value of the drugs has been put at about $148,000.

Vanore said it was the first seizure of khat (pronounced COT) in Philadelphia and perhaps the first in the state. No arrests had been made as of yesterday afternoon.

The khat leaves and twigs that are routinely chewed as part of socializing with friends in places like Somalia and Yemen were wrapped in banana leaves and packaged in boxes.

"It is not illegal in Europe or Africa; it's legalized there," Vanore said. "But here, we have it as a Schedule 1 narcotic" - the same as cocaine and heroin.

Narcotics Chief Inspector William Blackburn said the khat is typically found in places like Detroit, Minneapolis, Dallas, Boston and New York.

"According to intelligence reports, it's prevalent in areas that have large populations of people from Somalia, Ethiopia and Yemen," Blackburn said.

Blackburn said khat leaves are chewed like tobacco or added to tea or food products.

The drug produces an excitement and euphoria that is similar to the effects of cocaine or marijuana, and can last anywhere from 90 minutes to 24 hours.

The side effects can also include hallucinations and paranoia, Blackburn said.

Khat, which is also spelled Qat or Kat, is a natural drug that comes from the Celastrus edulis plant. Khat contains cathine (d-norisoephedrine), cathidine and cathinine. Cathine is also one of the alkaloids found in Ephedra vulgaris, according to Internet reports.

"We just want to make people aware of it," Vanore said. "We don't think it's being frequently used here now, but our concern is that it's very, very inexpensive and it could become a problem."

He said it neither looks nor smells like marijuana. It has a very strong odor.

"It doesn't have a very good shelf life," Vanore said. "Once it's out for a certain period of time, it loses its narcotic effect." *

Staff writer David Gambacorta contributed to this report.

[CTFF 65]

If you've read Black hawk Down this is the drug that the Somali militias give to their soldiers. Hopefully this is not something that can be grown here.

[CAM502 6]

This has been around for a while now. Very popular with folks from Yemen. And from what I have been told it can be very potent and dangerous. A person on Khat can become very nervous and aggitated...comparable to a Cocaine addict.

Edited September 30, 2007 by CAM502

[jloftus 28]

I thnk Chris knows WAY to much on this subject.

[CAM502 6]

Hahaha...very funny Jim....wouldn't touch the stuff with a ten foot pole bro. Sounds like nasty poop.

Edited September 30, 2007 by CAM502

[ny10570 745]

Until they start growing the stuff locally its not going to be a real problem here. The stuff loses its potency so quickly that unless you're flying it in its not practical to really get high off of.

[ldrco195 17]

More Info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qat_in_Yemen

http://www.plot55.com/growing/c.edulis.html

Very Interesting

From what i have read, granted i am no MD, but there is really nothing EMS can do in the field to counter react this narcotic like drug. Since it is not opium/ opiud based then narcan is out of the question.

Any Ideas thoughts?