It was bound for the US from Israel, 500 kg of narcotics worth 1.5 million euros were seized at Athens airport

2025-08-17 10:32:11Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
It was bound for the US from Israel, 500 kg of narcotics worth 1.5 million euros
Seized drugs

Inspectors of the Independent Public Revenue Authority have discovered and seized a quantity of half a ton of the narcotic substance KHAT at the "Eleftherios Venizelos" Airport in Athens, authorities announced today.

KHAT, a psychotropic substance also known as natural coca, is addictive and is extracted from the Catha Edulis plant, which is cultivated mainly in the Horn of Africa, the Southern Arabian Peninsula and the East African coast.

The illegal substance was hidden in four shipments of goods declared as curtains, bed sheets and fabrics, which were being transported from Israel to the US. During a random check carried out by inspectors of the Athens Airport Customs Contraband Department, packages hidden with dried KHAT leaves were found in the airport’s temporary cargo warehouse.

The total quantity seized amounts to 500 kilograms, and its approximate value is around 1,500,000 euros. This is the largest quantity of KHAT ever seized at Athens airport, surpassing the previous quantity detected, 458 kilograms, in 2014. Most recently in 2022, a quantity of 34 kilograms was also seized at the same airport.

This discovery highlights the continuing fight against drug trafficking and the efforts of authorities to curb the spread of these dangerous drugs.


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