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Columbus, November 27, 2006 – For generations of eastern Africans, chewing the leaf of an indigenous plant was considered much like drinking a couple of cups of coffee.
When they immigrated to Columbus, some brought with them a taste for the stimulant that the plant provided. The only problem is that the plant, known as khat, is illegal in the U.S.
Police seizure of the plant has increased nationwide, and Somali leaders in central Ohio are now spreading the word to avoid khat. There’s a sense of urgency, because an Ohio legislator wants to make it easier to prosecute those who possess or use the plant.
Last year, Columbus police seized 78 pounds of khat. As of this October, they had seized 3,000 pounds, said Sgt. Ben Casuccio, of the narcotics bureau.
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