Israeli Man Caught With 216 Kg of Khat at Rome Airport Facing Drug Charges

A 22-year-old Israeli citizen was apprehended on Monday at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport carrying 216 kilograms of khat concealed in seven suitcases. The seizure was made during a joint operation by the Italian Customs and Finance Police (Guardia di Finanza) and the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM). The man arrived on a flight from Tel Aviv and aroused suspicion at passport control due to inconsistent and vague answers about his visit and intended stay in Italy.

Following a detailed inspection including X-ray scans and opening of the luggage, large packages of fresh khat leaves and stems were discovered. Although khat is legal in Israel and Yemen, it is classified as a controlled substance in Italy and most other countries, where possession and trafficking are criminal offenses. The suspect was not detained but released after initial questioning; however, a criminal case has been opened against him and forwarded to the prosecutor's office in Civitavecchia.

Khat is a stimulant plant native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its value on the European black market can reach tens of thousands of euros, depending on freshness, as its effects diminish quickly. This incident adds to a series of cases in recent years involving Israelis caught smuggling khat into European countries where it is illegal.