CHARGED WITH SMUGGLING KHAT

Gothenburg. A 24 year old man has been charged as a suspected smuggler of
record amounts of khat, an amphetamine-like narcotic substance.

Totally it might be as much as 1,2 metric tons, writes Metro Gothenburg.

Charged with serious merchandise smuggling and major narcotics violations
is unusual when it comes to khat.

"One reason is because of the large amount, that we have in this case",
says prosecutor Dan Segge.

"I am not familiar with any other case of this magnitude"

The accused was apprehended in the beginning of February during a delivery
of 35 kilo khat to Landvetter airport and has been jailed since then.

The man began his activity back in 1996, according to the prosecutor.

Throughout last year until February of this year he received between one
half and 1,2 metric tons.

During interrogation he has said that he received eight sacks per week in
the period between June and August. But when he realized how much that is,
he changed his mind.

"He has later agreed to one half metric ton, explains Dan Segge.

During the search of his residence address labels were found revealing that
traditional parcel services were used for the transports. The khat was
brought in from England by air freight. In other court cases the narcotic
has come by car from Netherland and Germany.

The 24 year old man says that he was only the distributor and that there
were others that directed the operation.

"But he has not dared tell us any names", says Dan Segge.

On the street 150 gram of khat costs 300 SKr ($60).