Authorities seized nearly 100 kg of Khat tobacco.

Nearly 100 kg of a new type of drug called Khat leaves, discovered in 11 packages at a customs office, which were shipped from Vietnam to overseas via international postal services, have been returned to Vietnam.

Nearly 100kg of Khat tobacco seized - Photo: THAN HOANG

On September 22nd, the Hanoi Customs Department, in coordination with the Anti-Smuggling Investigation Department (General Department of Customs) and the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department (C47) of the Ministry of Public Security, conducted a search of 11 parcels at the Express Delivery Customs Sub-department. These parcels were shipments from Vietnam to several European countries that had recently been returned to Vietnam.

The inspection revealed that these 11 packages contained nearly 100kg of dried herbal leaves suspected to be Khat (also known as "heavenly leaf").

This type of Khat leaf contains Cathinone - an extremely potent narcotic substance listed as absolutely prohibited for use in medicine and society.

All of the goods were sent by a single sender, Pham Van Duy, residing in Lao Cai, to several European countries.

Authorities have taken samples and sent them to the Forensic Science Institute of the Ministry of Public Security for analysis. The seized Khat leaves have been sealed to facilitate investigation and legal proceedings.

According to the Institute of Criminal Science of the Ministry of Public Security, the toxicity of Khat leaves is many times stronger than methamphetamine and cocaine, and 500 times stronger than other common drugs.

According to TNO