Atlanta CBP officers stop more than 4,000 pounds of illegal Khat from entering the U.S.
ATLANTA — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport have seized more than 4,000 pounds of khat since the beginning of the year, stopping the illegal drug from reaching communities in the United States.
Khat, also known as Abyssinian tea or African salad, is a plant that contains cathinone, a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.
In four distinct enforcement actions this year, CBP officers in Atlanta intercepted khat in cargo shipments originating from India, the Netherlands, and Nigeria, as well as concealed in the suitcases of two U.S. citizens arriving on a flight from Paris.
“CBP officers in Atlanta are on the front lines every day, identifying and intercepting illegal narcotics before they can reach communities across the United States,” said Pedro Ortiz, Acting Port Director for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Atlanta. “The seizure of more than 4,000 pounds of khat this year reflects the seriousness of this threat and the unwavering commitment of our officers to enforce federal law, disrupt illicit drug movement, and protect the American public from dangerous controlled substances.”
The seized khat, with an estimated street value of approximately $500,000, will be destroyed.
Nationwide, CBP officers and agents seized approximately 46,000 pounds of khat last fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025) and seized nearly 19,000 pounds of khat during the first ten months of this fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2025, through July 31, 2026).
According to the DEA, khat contains two central nervous system stimulants -- cathinone, which is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, and cathine, a Schedule IV controlled substance. Cathinone is a stimulant that can pose serious health risks to users, including increased heart rate and blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety, agitation, and other harmful effects. Symptoms of khat toxicity include delusions, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and increased blood pressure and heart rate. The World Health Organization classified khat as a drug of abuse in 1980.
CBP officers and agriculture specialists screen international passengers, baggage, cargo and mail daily to prevent illegal drugs, prohibited agricultural products and other dangerous items from entering the United States.
CBP's border security mission is led at our nation’s Ports of Entry by CBP officers and agriculture specialists from the Office of Field Operations. CBP screens international travelers and cargo and searches for illicit narcotics, unreported currency, weapons, counterfeit consumer goods, prohibited agriculture, invasive weeds and pests, and other illicit products that could potentially harm the American public, U.S. businesses, and our nation’s safety and economic vitality.
Learn more at www.CBP.gov.
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