khat

LONDON, UK (Axadle Times) —  an ordinary journey taking a profound turn. At Newcastle International Airport, amidst the bustling travelers, a London man found himself at the heart of a legal storm over khat, a substance often cloaked in controversy.It's not every day that a simple trip lands one in headlines. For Ahmed Hirsi, aged 46, life took an unexpected twist after customs officers uncovered approximately £18,000 worth of khat concealed in his luggage. The discovery occurred on October 11, 2023, marking what should have…

A Reflective Dive into the Weaponization of Drugs The narrative of nations leveraging narcotics to suppress or dominate adversaries is as heart-wrenching as it is complex. Historically, numerous countries have turned to alcohol and other drugs not just to weaken societies but to wield them as tools of war, control, and destabilization. "All warfare is based on deception," said Sun Tzu, and using drugs as a weapon is perhaps one of the most insidious deceptions of them all. Reflecting on the 19th century, the…

NAIROBI, Kenya (AX) — In the tranquil town of Sala, nestled within Kenya's Mandera County, an unusual edict has rippled through the community like a stone skipped across a placid pond. The venerable elders have imposed a comprehensive prohibition on the trading and consumption of khat, a widely-used stimulant in this part of Africa. "What risks loom for those who defy?" you might wonder. Social ostracism, rejected marriage proposals, and a denial of religious rituals form the trifecta of deterrents. This weekly, at a…

NAIROBI, Kenya - In the bustling fields of central Kenya, where the sun casts long shadows over the lush green leaves of Khat, farmers halt their weary hands. This halt, however, is not for rest, but a cry for justice in the twisted mechanisms of commerce that link their fields to Somalia. Why, you might ask, would a thriving community decide to stop exporting their produce? It's a complex weave of economics and ethics, a tale that echoes powerfully in today's market-driven world. The quintessential Khat plant,…

Certainly, let's delve into the intricate tapestry of this issue with a more nuanced, professional tone. --- As the sun rose over the verdant landscape of central Kenya, painting ethereal hues on the horizon, thoughts weighed heavily on the mind of Jackson Karuiru. A man seasoned by the struggles of agriculture, Karuiru, the chairman of the Kenyan Khat Farmers Association, finds himself at the crossroads between tradition and the unforgiving march of modern economics. “How can we carry on under these circumstances,” he…

FILE - Stacks of Khat, a plant sought for its stimulating effects in areas like East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Due to its status as an illegal substance in numerous nations, authorities are rigorously trying to stop its unlawful importation. JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AX) — At the break of dawn on Monday, police in Johannesburg nabbed a Somali man following the confiscation of 100 kilograms of Khat, valued around $19,750, during a precise drug bust. The individual arrested, a 39-year-old named Mohamed Deeq Abdulahi…

Somalia trades fish for Ethiopian khat over trade deal MOGADISHU, Somalia - After days of speculation, it is now official that Somalia will receive Ethiopian khat in exchange for fish, following the latest deal signed by senior officials from the two countries, which rekindled bilateral ties just two years ago. after decades of animosity. Since the Ogaden War, Somalia and Ethiopia have never…