A family traveled from Tel Aviv to Munich with around 150 kilos of the chewing drug khat in their luggage. Customs noticed a strange smell when checking the family of four at the airport, as the main customs office in Munich announced on Thursday morning.
When officers opened the first piece of luggage, they saw a suitcase filled to the brim with bundles of fresh khats. They found the same thing with the remaining four pieces of luggage. The customs control took place in mid-March.
In total, officers seized around 150 kilograms of khat. It was initially unclear whether customs assumed smuggling and whether the travelers were aware that khat was an illegal drug in Germany. According to the main customs office, the investigation into the incident was still ongoing.
As Customs wrote in its statement on Thursday about the khat find at the airport, chewing the leaves “has an effect similar to that of amphetamines, but is much weaker. The consumer feels euphoric and feels less hungry and tired.” In Germany, khat is considered a banned substance that is subject to the provisions of the Narcotics Act.