Khat Smuggled Through Airports | Dayton News

Dayton News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 29, 2026 · 1m

Customs just seized nearly 1,200 pounds of khat — a potent, chewable stimulant from Africa — at Chicago’s O’Hare, with travelers flying in from Senegal. It’s not new, but smugglers are now slipping it into passenger luggage, not just cargo. Found in suitcases from London, Paris, and Casablanca, this Schedule One drug, valued at over $140K, carries serious risks: euphoria, paranoia, hallucinations, and long-term liver or heart damage. CBP says they’ve been hunting it for decades — and still catch tons every month, whether it’s hidden in checked bags or shipped in containers. The game’s…