Community Volunteers/entrepreneurs mis-hap

[Niya]

Title/comments revised in view of the value attached to the grass!
mac sokor still effing idiots!

Men arrested picking up Middle Eastern narcotic
By: Brian Hughes
Examiner Staff Writer
May 4, 2010


Two men were arrested as they tried to pick up more than $90,000 worth of Middle Eastern drugs at an Alexandria mall parking lot, authorities said.

Sharmarke Mohamed Ladane and Ali Ali Hussein were charged with possession and intent to distribute khat, a narcotic used commonly throughout East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, according to U.S. District Court records.

During a routine cargo check last week, border officials found 175 kilograms of khat in a shipment labeled "Filters and Paperboard," slated for delivery to the parking lot of Alexandria's Landmark Mall.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arranged the delivery of the drugs, during which they watched Ladane and Hussein unload them and put them in Hussein's Chevrolet Tahoe at the mall parking lot. The truck driver delivering the drugs to the men had agreed to wear a wire for immigration agents.

Ladane told ICE officials he was merely helping Hussein "pick something up" and added he did not use drugs -- khat was found hanging in his vehicle.

Both men are being held without bail pending their detention hearings Tuesday.

The amount of khat seized annually in the United States has grown nearly four-fold during the past decade, as more immigrants have sought to continue using what they consider a harmless morning ritual.

Many khat users say the drug is no worse than coffee, but the drug has been banned by federal law since 1993.

A recent World Health Organization report found that khat usage can lead to insomnia, increased blood pressure and even anorexia in some cases.



What is khat?
» The "flower of paradise" is a narcotic used commonly -- and legally -- in East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It comes from the leaves and stems of a shrub and contains alkaloid cathinone, similar to amphetamine. The plant leaves are chewed like tobacco or brewed as a tea. Federal law has banned the drug since 1993.

[Amethyst]

Shit! This is almost as bad as their Seattle raid a few years back. Guess, Summer has officially begun!

[AbdiWahab252]

Stop snitching.

[Niya]

Lol@@@ as if Niya knows what the hell is going on with drug trafficers!

[AbdiWahab252]

Niya,



I avoid any dealings with skinnies. I even avoid talking about politics or loitering at the Masjid after prayers because there are too many snitches.

[Enlightened]

Mac sonkor is right.
suits them right.

[abdisamad3]

well done by the US police..

[Moguul21]

Two guys I personally know got caught for transporting Khat intend to sell in Toledo, Ohio even though they are free men now but initially state prosecutor requested 12 years sentence.

About 3 years ago over 150 federal agents worked undercover sting operation and arrested over 40 Somalis in connection of khat trafficking in 6 different states.

Somalis never learn

[udun]

Somalis are addicted to this drug. Believe me I was around in one of the Somali cafe shops in Columbus, Ohio in late last week and these fellow country men were asking when it is going to come to Columbus. At that time, it was around 9PM. Some of the guys were saying it is departing VA now so we should have it in 6 hours. Basically, the driving from VA to Columbus, Ohio is 6 to 6.5 hours. These guys were saying they were going to be up all night in order to ensure they don't miss the khat. Idiots, they are even paying close to $70 per either caqaar or marduuf. Can't really tell the difference since I have never eaten it. Obviously, that means that I am a tough guy in comparison to my fellow maryooleys since the perception is you don't eat khat, you remain young, firm and strong. Ladies love that kind of a guy. At least, that is the perception.

[anilweyne]

a harmless morning ritual.
I thought it was EVENING RITUAL.

A recent World Health Organization report found that khat usage can lead to insomnia, increased blood pressure and even anorexia in some cases.

Never heard of skinnies complaining of Hight Blood Presure after MARQAAN.
anorexia?? Isn't this good for obese Americans.

[Samatr]

Snitches always get their dues, Somalis are the worst snitches though.

[AbdiWahab252]

Snitches always get their dues, Somalis are the worst snitches though.

Samatr,

The worst are those who pretend to be wadaad

[Samatr]

The world would be nice if everyone minded their own business, but some people afkaa cuncuna they always gotta say something markaasoo kale afkaa laga dhirbaaxaa.

[Niya]

Are you guys assuming someone snitched (I know how Somalis love conspiracy theories) or do you know it for a fact?

Teeda kale, this is a wonderful news for the somali community. Save the money for something worthwhile instead of wasting on nacnac and khayaali!

[AbdiWahab252]

Niya,

Someone snitched. I guess grazing outside diplomatic compounds is hazardous.

I support the legalization of Qad. The status quo drives it underground resulting in:


1. Criminalization - Often causal chewers are arrested for over an all natural vegetable whose shelf life is merely a few days and effect is not much worse than drinking a Starbucks cappuccino.

2. Higher prices - The price of qad is 10 times higher than that in the UK resulting in more money being drawn away from the disposable income of Somali families.

3. Limited Appeal - The risk of it becoming a widespread in the larger society is minimal. It is restricted to Arab, Ethiopian, Kenyan and Somali communities.

4. Cultural bias - What makes qad more dangerous than drinking booze ? The criminalization of qad is nothing more than cultural bias against a minority group by a larger dominant cultural group.