Accused of smuggling 'new' drug

Khalid Id Ahmed, a 27-year-old Somali who has been granted refugee status and resides at the Marsa Open Centre, was yesterday remanded in custody after being accused of importing 12 kilos of khat, a new drug for Malta.

The prosecuting officer, Police Inspector Pierre Grech, also accused Mr Ahmed of being in possession of drugs in circumstances denoting it was not for his personal use.

Speaking through an interpreter, the accused said khat was "easily available even in London", before being stopped by the court on grounds that he could incriminate himself.

The court warned the accused he was facing very serious charges that could potentially lead to life imprisonment.

He was denied bail.

The prosecution is claiming the accused left Malta for Amsterdam on July 19 and returned on Friday night, when he was stopped by Customs officers and the police. His luggage was found to contain several bundles of khat.

Lawyer Beppe Fenech Adami was defence counsel.

What is khat?

Khat (pronounced cot), is essentially the fresh leaves of a flowering shrub found in tropical East Africa. Chewing it has a stimulating effect because it contains cathinone, a mind-altering substance.

The drug is best when still fresh and is usually sold as rolled leaves wrapped in banana leaves to retain freshness.

Khat has been known to serve as a stimulant for centuries in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Chewing it predates the use of coffee and is used in a similar social context. Its fresh leaves and tops are chewed or, less frequently, dried and consumed as a tea, to achieve a state of euphoria and stimulation.

According to information on the internet, the use of khat has traditionally been confined to those regions where it is grown, because only the fresh leaves have the desired stimulating effects. But improved roads, off-road motor vehicles and air transport have increased its distribution around the world.

Traditionally, khat has been used as a socialising drug, and this is still very much the case in Yemen where khat chewing is a predominantly male habit. In other countries, khat is consumed largely by individuals and at parties.

It is mainly a recreational drug in the countries that grow khat, though it may also be used by farmers and labourers for reducing physical fatigue, and by drivers and students to improve attention levels. It is similar to the use of the coca leaf in South America.

Khat is sometimes used by Muslims during the month of the Ramadan, which is spent in fasting from sunrise to sunset but it has reportedly gained popularity among Christians as well.

Khat induces mild euphoria and excitement and people become very talkative under its influence and may appear to be unrealistic and emotionally unstable. Khat can induce manic behaviour and hyperactivity.