Woman jailed for smuggling Khat through Heathrow

 

A woman from Hounslow caught smuggling Khat with a street value of £24,000 has been jailed.

Nassin Hassan Badhi, of St Giles Close, pleaded guilty to an importation offence and was given an 18-month custodial sentence on Friday (September 25) at Isleworth Crown Court, according to Border Force.

The 42-year-old UK national was stopped by Border Force officers in the green channel atHeathrow’s Terminal 3 after arriving on a flight from Johannesburg, South Africa, on May 15.

Officers searched her four suitcases and found 81kg of the drug Khat – a chewing plant – worth around £24,400 if sold on the streets.

Badhi was arrested on suspicion of smuggling and the case was referred to the National Crime Agency (NCA) for investigation.

She was charged on July 27 and pleaded guilty on August 5 at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, Border Force added.

Phil Douglas, Border Force Heathrow director, said: “Border Force officers are the front-line in the fight against smuggling and play a crucial role in protecting the UK from illegal drugs and other contraband.

“Working with our colleagues in the NCA we are determined to do all we can to prevent drug smuggling and put those responsible behind bars.”

Anyone with information about suspect smuggling should call 0800 59 5000.