Khat Worth $50,000 Seized at Baltimore Airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized approximately $50,000 worth of khat from the baggage claim area at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport.
Baltimore, MD, August 19, 2026 —
BALTIMORE, MD – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted a significant quantity of khat, valued at approximately $50,000, within the baggage claim area of Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport.
The seizure occurred when CBP officers examined baggage arriving at the airport. The prohibited plant material, identified as khat, was discovered and subsequently seized by the officers.
Khat (Catha edulis) is a plant native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its leaves are chewed for their stimulant effect. In the United States, khat is classified as a controlled substance, and its importation is illegal.
The operation was part of ongoing efforts by CBP to interdict illicit narcotics and other prohibited substances entering the United States through international mail facilities and ports of entry.
The approximate value of the seized khat was reported as $50,000. Further details regarding the origin of the baggage or specific flights involved were not immediately available.
CBP reminds travelers that the importation of controlled substances is a violation of U.S. federal law, and penalties can include seizure of the merchandise, fines, and potential criminal prosecution.
Story summarized from the original created by Bryan Lynn on www.cbsnews.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
