Somali man jailed for illegal plant

MEDINA — A Somali immigrant was sentenced to 90 days in jail Thursday for possessing an illegal stimulant contained in a plant native to his home country.

Hassan Warsame, 36, of Portland, Maine, originally was charged with a first-degree felony for possessing more than four pounds of the plant. After a three-day trial, a common pleas jury in January reduced his charge to a fourth-degree felony for possessing less than an ounce.

During the trial, Warsame’s attorney argued the plant, called khat, belonged to Warsame’s friend, Abdullahi Handule, 38, also of Portland. Handule was a no-show at his trial in December and is still at large.

On the stand, Warsame admitted to chewing a piece of khat, but said he didn’t know his friend had so much.

Warsame had 35 days of jail time credit, so he’s scheduled for release in just less than two months.

“He’s got 55 days and he’s done with me,” Common Pleas Judge James L. Kimbler said. “He may not agree, but I think it’s for the best.”

northcoastnow.com