Woman charged at airport with importation of controlled substance

Khat, seized at St. John's International Airport this morning, is shown in this RCMP photo. The plant is native to Eastern Africa and is usually chewed as a stimulant. Khat is illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in this country. —...

Published on October 9, 2012; Published on October 9, 2012

Topics :: International Airport , Canada Border Service Agency , Eastern Africa , Ontario , London

A 47-year-old woman was arrested this morning at St. John’s International Airport and charged with the importation of a controlled substance after she was found in possession of 16 kg of khat.

Khat is a plant native to Eastern Africa that contains two central nervous system stimulants: cathinone and cathine. These substances are included in Schedule 3 and 4 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

The woman, a resident of Ontario, was flying from London, England, to Toronto via St. John's.

View the gallery

The charges include importation of a controlled substance and trafficking in a controlled substance. She will appear in provincial court in St. John’s today.

Members of RCMP St. John's Drugs section, with the assistance of Canada Border Service Agency officers, made the arrest.

Rate
Top of the page

Comments

wavy

- October 9, 2012 at 16:13:48

Funny, I literally just finished watching an episode of the travel show "departures." on OLN where the show's Canadian hosts travel to Ethiopia and purchase some of this plant at a market to try with the locals (along with a cup of world-renowned Ethiopian coffee, by the way) as a way of embracing and expanding their understanding of the traditions and customs of a people, country and culture. And low and behold, they survived to tell the tale. Then I read this story and it got me thinking: why is it the same plant can be revered and celebrated for its traditional, medicinal or cultural significance in one country but labeled a dangerous menace to society, to be confiscated at all costs, by another? Why do adults need someone constantly looking over their shoulder in this country, telling them what they can and can't put into their bodies, for whatever reasons? Why not ban coffee too; it also contains CNS stimulants? One is ok but the other is not? Alcohol and tobacco are ok but marijuana is not? It's utter hypocrisy. Time for more open-minded, rational, intelligent, clearer-thinking minds to prevail on such matters.

Submit a comment

Submit a comment Your name* Email* (we keep all emails private) Write your comment here*
Agreement
We ask that users remain courteous. You may not post insulting, discriminatory or inappropriate content, which may be removed at our discretion. We are not responsible for user content and opinions. Use of this site as well as content submission & ownership are governed by our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.

Member organizations should be non-profit in nature, and promote legal activities. Any organization found promoting illegal activities or commercial products or services will be deleted from the site.

Conditions I agree with these conditions.
- david
  
  - October 9, 2012 at 19:24:34
  
  Cultures can do whatever they like....but don't be so unintelligent or too-cute-by=0half in your opinon that we should import those values here. We over here n to be far less than your "the open-minded, rational, intelligent, clearer-thinking" society...in case you didn't notice.
- wavy
  
  - October 9, 2012 at 23:52:07
  
  I wasn't trying to be cute, David; just challenging and questioning the status quo. It's unfortunate that offends you. From what I can gather, you're against open-minded, rational, intelligent societies and thought. Pity. I can't comment on the rest of your attempt at making a point because I have absolutely no idea what you're trying to say due to your illegible sentences. At least I can string together a few words to form a comprehensible argument. Onward through the fog...
margaret

- October 9, 2012 at 13:25:12

Can You find any better news than this garbage????? Give it a break.

Submit a comment

Submit a comment Your name* Email* (we keep all emails private) Write your comment here*
Agreement
We ask that users remain courteous. You may not post insulting, discriminatory or inappropriate content, which may be removed at our discretion. We are not responsible for user content and opinions. Use of this site as well as content submission & ownership are governed by our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.

Member organizations should be non-profit in nature, and promote legal activities. Any organization found promoting illegal activities or commercial products or services will be deleted from the site.

Conditions I agree with these conditions.

Submit a comment

Submit a comment Your name* Email* (we keep all emails private) Write your comment here*

Agreement

We ask that users remain courteous. You may not post insulting, discriminatory or inappropriate content, which may be removed at our discretion. We are not responsible for user content and opinions. Use of this site as well as content submission & ownership are governed by our Conditions of Use and Privacy Policy.

Member organizations should be non-profit in nature, and promote legal activities. Any organization found promoting illegal activities or commercial products or services will be deleted from the site.

I agree with these conditions.