Sixty tons of ‘Al-Qaeda drug’ imported into UK every week: Report

Sixty tons of a drug linked to an Al-Qaeda outfit in Somalia is imported into Britain every week and openly used by addicts, according to a report.

The green leaves of the plant khat are flown in from Kenya and then chewed by addicts across Britain.

Khat is widely used in Somalia and neighbouring African countries. And although banned in the US, Canada, France and Germany it is still legal in the UK, a fact that has made Britain the centre of a thriving import trade, The Sun reports.

According to anti-khat campaigners, Somali-based Islamic extremists Al-Shabaab use cash from khat sales to fund terrorism.

The Al-Qaeda linked militants then recruit directly from the UK’s khat dens, ensnaring youngsters who have become hooked on the drug, the report said.

Khat leaves give a high similar to that produced by amphetamines and side effects including disorientation and hallucinations.

Meanwhile, a recent UN report said Al-Shabaab gets funds from imposing a tax on khat.

Others claim the group has tried to ban khat in areas of Somalia it controls.

Source: Daily News & Analysis