Archive · 1 Jan 2026
NCB busts international khat leaves trafficking in Bengaluru
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in India found and stopped a big group that was smuggling khat leaves, which is a plant that people chew for a stimulant effect.
They found 160 kilograms of these leaves in Bengaluru, worth about Rs 8 crore.
The leaves were coming from Ethiopia through Kenya and were being sent to many other countries.
The group was using the postal system to hide the leaves as tea.
They had many people working for them, including some who were living in India with student or medical visas.
This is the biggest seizure of khat leaves in Karnataka since it became illegal in 2018.
NCB seized 160 kg of khat leaves worth Rs 8 crore in Bengaluru.
Khat leaves were smuggled from Ethiopia via Kenya, indicating a trans-national syndicate.
The syndicate operated across 20+ countries, using international postal systems to disguise khat as tea.
Over 550 parcels weighing 2,100 kg were sent to North America, Europe, Gulf, and Middle East.
The network included foreign nationals and local facilitators, some residing in India on student or medical visas.
- Who
- Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
- What
- Busted an international khat leaves trafficking racket
- When
- December 31
- Where
- Bengaluru, India
- Why
- Khat leaves are a psychotropic substance and illegal under the NDPS Act
- Substance
- Khat leaves
- Seizure Amount
- 160 kg
- Estimated Value
- Rs 8 crore
- Origin
- Ethiopia via Kenya
- Syndicate Reach
- 20+ countries
- Total Parcels Sent
- 550
- Total Weight Sent
- 2,100 kg
- Destinations
- North America, Europe, Gulf, Middle East
