High Road 'khat' den closed down

- 12 January 2006

Cult drug: A box of the shrub khat

A LOCK-UP that became a favourite haunt for users of the cult drug khat has been shut down after a barrage of complaints from neighbours.

The garage, in an alleyway behind High Road, Ilford, was attracting 100-150 khat chewers a day and dealers were selling about 400kg of the stimulant every week, according to police.

Khat is a shrub native to east Africa and some Arab countries. Users chew the leaves and shoots to release an amphetamine-like ingredient that produces a feeling of mild euphoria.

The drug is very popular in countries like Somalia and Yemen and is banned in the US, but is not illegal in this country.

Police, led by Sgt Dave Somerville of the Clementswood Ward Safer Neighbourhoods team, teamed up with Redbridge Council to find a loophole that would put the khat house out of business.

"We couldn't rely on drugs legislation so we threatened legal action, as the premises were registered for storage but they were doing retail from it, while not paying tax or customs and excise duty," he said.

Full story in this week's Recorder