3News NZ
Monday, December 30, 2013
A New Zealand-Somali
community leader says the use of the drug khat by a small group is
causing unwanted delays at the border for hundreds of people.
The plant is illegal in New Zealand, but that hasn't stopped
vast quantities being seized.
The plant is a centuries-old part of Somali culture but in New Zealand it's not welcome.
"We see a steady supply of khat coming into New
Zealand," says Customs manager Shane Penettiere. "Both MPI and Customs
deal with khat in various forms, either fresh or dried."
"Usually MPI examines it first for pests and
diseases, then we'll hand it to Customs for them to manage," says
Ministry of Primary Industries passenger and mail manager Craig Hughes.
Figures obtained by 3 News show more than 100kg have been intercepted since July 2011.
Khat releases an amphetamine-like stimulant when chewed and is native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
"They
don't see it as a big deal," says chairman of the Somali Community of
Wellington Yussuf Khalif. "They see it like you drinking a coffee."
Mr
Khalif believes most Kiwi-Somalis are aware khat is a Class C
controlled drug in New Zealand. But because the drug's still being
imported, he says many in his community are stopped and searched at the
border.
"Every time they go and come back they
have to be searched, and some people say they are asked straight away by
Customs, 'Do you have khat?'" says Mr Khalif. "They'll say, 'I don't
even chew. I don't even use it.' But they don't believe it. That's the
thing. We want people to be treated normally, not targeted."
But
Customs says it doesn't target or single out Somali travellers. The
spokesperson went on to say no one had been stopped and searched
specifically for khat in recent weeks.