CBP officers seize 412 pounds of khat, valued near $50,000, at BWI Airport

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized 412 pounds of khat found in duffel bags left at the baggage carousel at Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Thurgood Marshall Airport.

On August 11, CBP officers inspected five duffel bags that had been left on the baggage carousel after a flight from London.

Officials said they discovered a significant quantity of what appeared to be tea leaves.

Field tests confirmed that the leaves were khat.

An additional bag, containing 81 more pounds of khat, arrived the following day.

Officials reported that khat, also known as Abyssinian tea or African salad, is primarily grown in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Khat is chewed for its stimulant effects, which are similar to those of amphetamines. Users may also boil dried khat leaves to make a stimulant tea.

CBP identified the traveler using baggage tags, but officials said they were unable to contact the traveler directly or through the airline.

The six duffel bags containing khat weighed a combined 412 pounds and 4 ounces and had an estimated street value of around $50,000, according to authorities.

“It’s clear that a very vigilant Customs and Border Protection officer spooked this traveler and foiled an attempt to smuggle a substantial amount of a controlled substance into the United States,” said Adam Rottman, CBP’s Area Port Director in Baltimore. “Intercepting dangerous drugs along our nation’s borders remains one of our priority missions, and it is one way in which CBP can help keep our communities safe.”

Last fiscal year, CBP officers seized approximately 46,000 pounds of khat, and nearly 19,000 pounds were seized during the first nine months of fiscal year 2025.