In view of illegal drug trafficking being rapid in the city, another illegal drug peddling case came in to the light. The city police caught a Yemeni national at Puranapul, possessing 20kg of Kath leaves (banned narcotic substance), brought from Ethiopia from air. This incident took place on the eve of New Year. The carton had 60 bunches of Kath leaves, which are worth Rs.25 lakh in the international market. These Kath leaves are recognized as substances of illegal abuse by World Health Organization (WHO) and hence are banned by many countries including India.
As per the investigation, the victim traded these Kath leaves between Ethiopia and India, so as to make his living. As these leaves are legal in Ethiopia, Yemen and Somalia, they are easily available in those countries and are brought to the India. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has identified the cartons to be containing drugs and has booked a case against the victim under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act).
Source: Times of India