TOKYO (TR) – Law enforcement has arrested a male Somali national for smuggling more than 200 kilograms of the khat, a plant containing components of illegal drugs. The bust is the first nationwide involving the plant, law enforcement has revealed, reports the Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 17).
On Tuesday, the Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare’s Narcotics Control Department said Mustafa Hirad Omar, a 48-year-old unemployed Somali national residing in Kasukabe City, Saitama Prefecture, allegedly smuggled approximately 200 kilograms of khat.
Omar is suspected of working with an unidentified person to transport the khat from Rwanda to his home via Haneda Airport in October of last year.
Omar has been accused of violating the Narcotics Control Act. The department did not reveal whether Omar admits to the allegations.
During the investigation, the department seized approximately 250 kilograms of khat. This is the first arrest in Japan for a violation of the Narcotics Control Act involving khat.
Khat is a plant used as a recreational drug in parts of Africa. It contains the psychotropic drug catine.
Between January 13 and February 24, Omar was arrested three times on suspicion of violating the Narcotics Control Act for possessing approximately 54 kilograms of khat for profit in his apartment. He was subsequently indicted.
