Busted by customs

W

Winterchill

Bluelighter
Joined
Jun 22, 2003
Messages
109
Location
Norway
Last january I was busted at the airport with 50 kilos of khat. While police corruption brought the amount down to 22 kilos, it had a very positive result on my case in court. But anyways, is it likely that the customs will pull me in everytime I ctross the border? I'm on probation now, so I rather not get busted, but if I'm going to the "free-state", I would like to bring back some stash.
 
Absolutely no disrespect intended, but I'll never understand people w/your frame of mind. It's simple math;

p= not get busted
q= dont bring back stash

p <---> q
 
Ok, for the sake of the argument.. What if I wanted to bring back one pack of cigarettes outside the quotas, or for that matter an extra bottle of vodka. I hate the holdingcells at the airport, and my question is if they will put me there everytime I happen to walk by in search of "contraband".
 
Next time you should try to get only one kilo (your brain) through customs before you take on any major projects. 8)
 
please excuse my ignorance.....but is khat illegal?

I've heard of it before, but what is it exactly?
 
^^

Khat is a plant that contains cathinone, which is a schedule 1 stimulant.

However, Erowid says this about khat's legal ambiguosity:

"Khat is not specifically listed in any schedule in the United States. However the federal government appears to be treating Khat as equivalent of Cathinone, one of the chemical constituents in the plant. Cathinone is Schedule I in the United States, making it illegal to buy, sell or possess.

It is reported that the cathinone in Khat breaks down quickly and after only a few days, only cathine is left.

Individuals in the US have been successfully federally prosecuted for possessing and distributing dried khat leaves intended for ingestion. Dried leaves, intended for ingestion, courts will likely find constitute a "material or preparation" containing a schedule I substance, and thus controlled under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). Cases such as: an Oregon man convicted in 2002 for 'intent to distribute' dried leaves. For live plants, not intended for ingestion, the law is ambiguous and has not yet been fully resolved.

The DEA considers khat "an illegal plant", but the DEA's views are not law and do not have the force of law. See DEA's 2002 Briefing on Khat for more information on their view of khat. In two entries in the Federal Register, the DEA mentions khat and their view of its legal status, but in the scheduling of cathine and cathinone, the DEA chose both times not to list the plant itself and thus the plant remains in a legal grey area."
 
dbighead2 said:
please excuse my ignorance.....but is khat illegal?
Click to expand...

It depends on your country. The khat plant is not illegal here in the UK (yet) although cathinione is a Class C drug (i.e same legal status as cannabis). Shipments of khat are legally imported into London (apparently several tonnes per week) from Somalia and Ethiopia as it's very popular amoungst the immigrant community here. Winterchill is from Norway where it is illegal, as it is in much of mainland Europe, and also the US and Canada.

I've heard of it before, but what is it exactly?
Click to expand...

http://www.drugscope.org.uk/druginfo/drugsearch/ds_results.asp?file=\wip\11\1\1\khat.html

Khat is a green-leafed shrub that has been chewed for centuries by people who live in the Horn of Africa and Arabian peninsula. It has recently turned up in Europe, including the UK, particularly among emigrants and refugees from countries such as an Somalia, Ethiopia and the Yemen.

Khat is imported to London and sold at greengrocers in areas such as East London. It sells at about £4 a bunch but only remains potent for a few days after picked. It is strongest when the fresh leaves are chewed but can also be made into a tea or chewable paste.

THE LAW

The Khat plant itself is not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but the active ingredients, cathinone and cathine, are Class C drugs. Cathinone may not be lawfully possessed or supplied except under a licence for research, though cathine may be prescribed The legal status of khat is currently under review. It is controlled by law in countries such as an America, Canada, Norway and Sweden.

HISTORY

References to khat use can be found in Arab journals from the 13th century. Physicians prescribed khat to treat depression and lack of energy. The stimulant effects also mean it has been commonly used by peasants who work long hours. In some Muslim countries where alcohol is banned, khat is commonly used in social situations, although khat is often condemend on religious and cultural grounds.

EFFECTS/ RISKS

Khat is a stimulant drug with effects similar to amphetamine.Chewing it makes people feel more alert and talkative and suppresses the appetite, though users describe an ensuing calming effect when used over a few hours. Regular use may lead to insomnia (inability to sleep), anorexia and anxiety. In some cases it may make people feel more irritable and angry and possibly violent. Psychological dependence can result from regular use so that users feel depressed and low unless they keep taking it.
 
whats with digging up old threads..


anyways.. to answer your question, yes you will be scrutinized every single time that you pass through customs from now on.
 
I agree with blah, redflagged. He usually knows his shit, and if *I* was part of the government I know damn well i'd flag anyone smuggling kilos of shit...
 
You'll be red flagged throughout the European Union.
Everytime you cross a boarder and they scan your passport its going to turn into an, "open your bags please sir" fiesta! I wouldnt risk it, SEND IT TO YOURSELF via air mail man a least if you get tagged through them you wont be detained anywhere except your lovely home town or your Point of shipment... I also dont know where you're coming from what country o where to either. That info might help us draw some conclusions. I mean if you want the infor you gotta put out too man.
 
Khat without cathinone may not be illegal in US

DEA proposed to ban cathine and cathinone (two of about 60 alkaloids in khat) in 1987. Cathine was "temporarily" banned in 1988. Cathinone was not banned until 1993. Cathine has never been "permanently" scheduled, and I believe the temporary listing has expired. Khat itself is not on the list. When the cathinone is gone and only cathine is present the khat should not be illegal. But officers believe it is the khat itself that is banned, and thus you can be arrested for it anyway and have to fight your way out of trouble.
 
lol I neva got flagged but when I was traveling back and forth to Spain I would fly alone and only stay 4-5 days. Def was scrutinized in customs in the U.S. Europe on the other hand......has some issues.
 
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