Khat (cont.)

• The use of Khat is an established cultural tradition for many social situations in the areas of primary cultivation: East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
• Several million people may currently be using Khat worldwide.
• The largest concentrations of users are in the regions surrounding the Middle East.

• Khat, while illegal in the United States, is legal in much of Europe, East Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula.
• Individuals of East African and Middle Eastern descent are mot often responsible for the importation, distribution, possession, and use of Khat in the United States.
• Khat is usually shipped already packaged in bundles, and wrapped in plastic bags or banana leaves to retain moisture and freshness.
• Khat is generally smuggled in passenger luggage, overnight express mail, or shipped as air cargo and falsely labeled as "vegetables."

• Exactly prices are not known, but Khat is a relatively costly drug.

SOURCE: United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Khat.

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/khat/article.htm