Prosecutions and Seizures

Greater Toronto Region

CBSA intercepts over 13,000 kilograms of khat in the GTA

Mississauga, Ontario, July 26, 2013 –The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today the interception of over 13,000 kilograms of khat in 1,300 seizures in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) between January 1, 2012 and May 31, 2013.

The khat was intercepted by CBSA border services officers working at the Toronto Pearson International Airport including both the Passenger and Commercial Operations Districts, as well as the International Mail Processing Centre. In 2012, over 10,000 kilograms of khat were seized, while in 2013, up to May 31, there have been seizures totaling nearly 3,000 kilograms.

Khat is the green leaf of a plant native to east Africa, which carries the scientific name Catha Edulis. The active ingredients contained in khat are cathine and cathinone, which produce a stimulant effect similar to amphetamine when the green parts of the plant are ingested. Khat is a stimulant that since 2005 has been considered by the World Health Organization as an addictive drug of abuse. There are no accepted medical uses for khat.

Most recently, the United Kingdom announced that it will be banning khat, a measure that has already been taken in most of Europe and in a number of other countries, including the United States and Canada.

“Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, it is illegal to import khat into Canada,” said Goran Vragovic, Regional Director General of the CBSA in the GTA Region. “Khat is seized by our officers upon detection and any smugglers intercepted with khat will be arrested.”

If you have witnessed or are aware of an incident involving suspicious cross-border activity, please contact the CBSA Border Watch Toll-free Line at 1-888-502-9060.

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For media information

GTA Media Relations
Canada Border Services Agency
905-803-2800

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