Canadian border officers have intercepted a large shipment of khat, a banned controlled substance, at Toronto Pearson International Airport.
According to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), officers recently seized more than 23 kilograms of Catha edulis—commonly known as khat—that had arrived from the United Kingdom.
“The contraband was seized on July 10, 2025, at Toronto Pearson International Airport and was turned over to the RCMP,” said CBSA spokesperson Rebecca Purdy.
Importing, exporting, or possessing khat, a leafy plant native to the East African region and the Arabian Peninsula, is illegal in Canada.
When chewed, khat acts as a stimulant, producing effects similar to amphetamines, including increased alertness, euphoria, and in some cases, aggressive behaviour or insomnia.
The active ingredients in khat—cathinone and cathine—are classified as controlled substances under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and Canada classifies it as a drug with no accepted medical use and potential health risks.
“Catha Edulis (khat) is not an unusual find,” Purdy added. “It is a criminal offence to import and export khat.”
No arrests have been announced in connection with the seizure, and the investigation is ongoing.
According to the University of Hertfordshire, there were thirteen deaths in the UK occurring in 2004-2009 associated with khat consumption. All of the deceased were males, and four deaths resulted from the physiopathological consequences of long-term khat use.