The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) busted a major international drug trafficking syndicate allegedly involved in the illicit smuggling of khat leaves and seized around 160 kg of the psychotropic substance valued at approximately ₹8 crore.
This is the largest seizure of khat in Karnataka since it was notified as a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psycotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in 2018, officials said.
The seizure was based on intelligence-driven operation, which revealed a well-organised transnational drug syndicate operating across more than 20 countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, and several Gulf countries.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the contraband was smuggled into India through an international route originating in Ethiopia, transiting via Kenya, before reaching Bengaluru. The syndicate allegedly exploited the international postal and courier network, camouflaging bulk consignments of khat as routine commercial goods such as tea consignments to evade detection.
The NCB officials revealed that the syndicate had dispatched over 550 parcels weighing nearly 2,100 kg to destinations across North America, Europe, and the Gulf countries Information regarding the in-transit consignments has been shared with enforcement agencies in the respective countries for coordinated action.
