Ethiopian Man Caught Selling Khat in Gas station (VIDEO)

by ocean

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – One Mid-South man is behind bars after police caught him with a large amount of Khat at Memphis Smart Mart.

Smart Mart at South Highland and Southern was closed for business around 11 a.m. Monday morning. The store was back open to customers by that afternoon.

Police said the temporary shutdown came after the only employee on duty was arrested for the possession of a unique drug to Memphis called Khat.

“We don’t see it a lot. But we understand that people are addicted, are using it. They can chew it, chew the leaves, smoke the leaves, they can also brew it in tea,” said Lieutenant, Mike Shearin.

khalid Awal arrested for selling khat

khalid Awal arrested for selling khat

Police discovered a plastic bag containing 93.4 grams of Khat, an amphetamine-like stimulant which causes excitement, loss of appetite and euphoria. Khat is a flowering plant indigenous to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Memphis Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit arrived at the store to check on the business’ compliance with alcohol regulations.

After searching the lone employee’s car, 26-year-old Khalid Awal, they found another bag containing 94.0 grams. His car was located in the Smart Mart parking lot.

“We believe yes, he was selling it,” said Shearin.

Though they don’t see it much in the Memphis area, police said there’s a demand for the drug.

“We see a lot of people from Ethiopia, Somalia, even Yemen that uses the drug,” said Shearin.

Awal, who police said is from Ethiopia, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, deliver and sell.

Police said they don’t believe the gas station and store owner were involved. However, this was the second Khat bust at the Smart Mart in the last 18 months.

Source: Myfoxmemphis

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4 comments

Eyob Solomon July 13, 2010 - 5:51 pm

poor him is my first reaction, being born in addis I still am not convince selling chat or chewing chat as criminal act and I have no doubt this guy had the same attitude toward this law, but I know one thing one have to accept and respect above all obey as much as it goes the existed local law and custom where he or she chose to live in!!

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samnv September 22, 2010 - 9:29 am

khat similar to heroin was a nice joke,khat and weed is the most peace full plant ever given to man from god,most users are usually very wise people who never cross the line.and heroin users are child molesters and killers. fast food,vaccination,some prescription drugs=opium,cigarettes, heroin and law makers are most dangerous than khat.

Reply
amd November 23, 2010 - 1:33 pm

በመጀመሪያ ጭኣት ሀሺሽ አይደለም , ስለዝህ ኢዝያ አመርካን ያላችሁ ሰላማዊ ሰልፍ ዉጡና ጫት
ሀሺሽ አለመሆኑን ለማስረዳት ሞክሩ. የታሰረው ደግሞ ዋጋው ነውና እዝያው ተውት, ቅሌታም.;:

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Safira January 27, 2012 - 5:29 pm

I know you eat khat you are sick in your head

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