Mar 3, 2008 4:31 pm US/Eastern
Exotic Drug Seized In Rare N.H. Bust
HAMPTON, N.H. (WBZ) ―
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Some of the Khat seized by New Hampshire State Police
WBZ
A routine traffic stop turned into a rare drug bust with international ties over the weekend in New Hampshire.
State police seized a large quantity of a drug known as "Khat."
The discovery came early Sunday morning when state trooper Bob Larcome pulled Mohmed Osman Ahmed over for a motor vehicle violation on Interstate 95 in Hampton.
During the stop, the trooper says he noticed something unusual in the car and began a search with another officer.
They uncovered a large pile of plants that turned out to be the amphetamine known as "Khat" from eastern Africa.
Investigators say the drug is ingested by chewing the plant, or drinking it like a tea.
The plants were taken to the State Police Forensic Lab Monday for testing.
Authorities say this is the first time that this type of drug has been seized in New Hampshire.
Ahmed, 40, of Roxbury, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute. He was released on $5,000 bail.
Ahmed was arrested in New York City in 2006 in "Operation Somalia Express," in which 44 people were captured in a raid that seized 25 tons of Khat.
For more information on Khat, visit:
http://newyork.fbi.gov/ or
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