Four hundred and two bundles of the east African drug khat were discovered Tuesday hidden within roses that arrived by plane at Calgary International Airport.
The package from Kenya was marked as fresh flowers. No arrests were made.
It's the second largest bust of the year in Calgary.
"So far this year, we've had 19 khat seizures weighing over 320 kilograms valued at over $160,000," said Lisa White, spokeswoman for the Canadian Border Services Agency.
Khat produces a mild hallucinogenic effect when chewed. It can also be added to teas or food and produces a high similar to cocaine, but less intense.
"The method of concealment would certainly indicate that the people involved in this knew it was illegal," said White.
When border officials examined the shipment, they decided to look at it more closely.
"When the officers opened up the package, they did find fresh flowers, but when you open up the bundle and spread out the roses, you see several bundles of khat spread inside," said White.
Hussein Warsame of the Somali Canadian Society of Calgary said khat use is more prominent among older males.
"Fortunately, it is rarely used by women or the younger generation. I think that within a decade, the use of khat by the Somali community will almost disappear," he said Friday.
In 2009, border officials in Alberta made more than 60 khat seizures weighing a total of 640 kilograms and valued at more than $300,000.
smassinon@theherald.canwest.com
Source: The Calgary Herald
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