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Feds Raid Roxbury Home In Drug Sting

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Jul 26, 2006 7:13 pm US/Eastern

Feds Raid Roxbury Home In Drug Sting

by Joe Shortsleeve
BOSTON (CBS4) ― A wild scene in a Roxbury neighborhood Tuesday night as federal drug agents raided a house on Walnut Avenue. It was part of a nationwide crackdown on a street drug smuggled from East Africa.

Federal drug agents rounded up a dozen people in the three story apartment building.

Prosecutors say 5 of the men were charged with trafficking a drug called 'khat'.

Khat is a plant grown in the horn of Africa and parts of the middle east. Users chew the leaves and get a high similar to cocaine.

Prosecutors say the drug is used primarily by African immigrants but it's becoming more popular amoung other drug users as well.

Investigators say the organization is responsible for smuggling more than 25 tons of the plant, worth more than $10 million.

DEA agents spent a year and a half on this investigation.

In all 44 people were arrested nationwide. If convicted, they could get 20 years in prison.

(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

© MMIX, CBS Corporation. All rights reserved.