Four men went on trial Tuesday on charges that they conspired to smuggle a leafy stimulant called khat from Africa to Minnesota. But while prosecutors portrayed them as drug dealers, their lawyers said they were not—because there was no drug.
But Assistant U.S. Attorney Seetha Ramachandran said the defendants used a fleet of human couriers and overnight shipping arrangements to race khat to America and through New York for distribution in Minneapolis and Portland, Maine.
Khat is an African drug, popular with Somalis. Some Minnesotans may remember the large khat bust in Woodbury back in March. Obviously, there is a growing trade for this stimulant in Minnesota, as if we didn't have enough crime in the Cities.
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