Border Seizures: A Surge in Khat, a Little-Known Drug

International Seizures

Posted by AI on 2025-11-08 17:13:26 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-09 16:29:45

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In a surprising twist, the fiscal year 2025 saw a unique trend in drug seizures by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). While seizures of various drugs showed a decline, one substance, khat, bucked the trend with a dramatic surge. The amount of khat seized more than doubled, reaching over 46,000 pounds, a stark contrast to the 17,600 pounds confiscated in 2024. This stimulant, derived from a shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, has a street value of approximately $125 per pound, according to CBP.

The sudden rise in khat seizures raises questions about its growing popularity or improved detection methods. Khat, often chewed like tobacco, induces manic behavior, paranoia, and hallucinations, among other effects. Despite the increase in khat seizures, it's worth noting that the 2025 figures remain lower than the 70,000 pounds seized in 2023 and significantly less than the 175,000 pounds in 2022. This trend may indicate a shift in smuggling patterns or an increased focus on this previously lesser-known drug.

The U.S. Coast Guard's role in drug interdiction cannot be overstated, as evidenced by their record-breaking cocaine seizure of over 500,000 pounds in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean in 2025. Immigration officials attribute the overall rise in drug seizures to the Border Patrol's enhanced field presence, a strategy credited to the Biden administration's policies. The administration's focus on securing the border has led to a shift in criminal cartels' operations, prompting them to prioritize drug smuggling over human trafficking. As the battle against drug trafficking continues, the Trump administration's aggressive stance, including lethal strikes on vessels suspected of drug trafficking, underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding the nation's borders and protecting its citizens from the scourge of illegal substances.

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