Khat Worth $50,000 Found in Abandoned Luggage at BWI Airport
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered approximately $50,000 worth of khat, a stimulant drug, in abandoned luggage at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport.
Baltimore, MD, August 20, 2026 —
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) recently seized approximately $50,000 worth of khat, a stimulant drug, from abandoned luggage. The discovery was made by CBP officers working at the airport.
Khat, also known as qat, is a plant native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its leaves are chewed for their stimulant effect. The drug is illegal in many countries, including the United States.
The CBP does not release specific details regarding the method of discovery or the exact timeline of the seizure beyond stating that the khat was found in abandoned luggage. The estimated street value of the seized khat is approximately $50,000.
CBP officers are tasked with enforcing U.S. laws, including those related to controlled substances, at the nation’s borders and ports of entry. The agency routinely intercepts illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, and other contraband.
Story summarized from the original created by Adam Thompson on www.cbsnews.com, see more information here.
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