Central China customs seizes khat from Africa

Customs officers in central China's Hubei Province have reported seizures of African khat leaves sent by mail from Indonesia.

Wuhan customs announced on Friday that a total of 25 kilograms of the narcotic plant was discovered in packages recently.

Khat, containing an amphetamine-like stimulant, is illegal to plant, possess, sell or consume in China.

The recipient of the packages -- a Yemeni student studying in Wuhan City -- has been detained. He said the drug was ordered online from an African seller in Indonesia and it was bought for personal use and selling.

It is the first time that khat leaves have been found in Wuhan, but there has been an increase in khat smuggling nationwide.

On March 4, Dalian customs in northeast China found seven mail boxes containing more than 60 kg of khat. The boxes were sent from Ethiopia to an university dorm in Dalian.