Jacaylbaro Posted August 31, 2011 For many Africans khat is a stimulant drug that also stills hunger pangs. But the world’s biggest seller of khat doesn’t fit the typical profile of a drug dealer. Indeed, throughout much of the continent it is legal. In Somaliland, not a lot works. Somaliland is a republic in the north of Somalia, which, although it declared itself a sovereign state, is not internationally recognized as such. But one thing you can count on here: Suhura Ismail’s trucks, driven at breakneck speed, arriving as regular as clockwork every night on the unpaved roads. The trucks are delivering khat, a drug that is mostly forbidden in Europe. In Somaliland, on the other hand, the business is legal – and booming. Up to 80% of all men in the tiny country in the Horn of Africa are addicted to khat. Suhura Ismail says she herself has never tried chewing the bitter leaves. But it has made her rich, and in her homeland, Ethiopia, she is a highly respected entrepreneur. “I was just voted Businesswoman of the Year,” she says. “And then I got a bill for back taxes amounting to 48 million Birr (1.9 million euros.) But we’ll figure something out. I have good connections with the Prime Minister.” The 49-year-old mother of ten is the biggest khat dealer in the world. And although she does have a flashy gold tooth, there is none of the usual baggage about her that usually attends international dealers: no body guards, no fake names, no fear of other drug cartels or the police -- though the tax man is a bit of a bother. FULL STORY: http://www.worldcrunch.com/drug-trade-africa-how-queen-khat-got-so-rich/3660 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Som@li Posted August 31, 2011 what are the chances of this drug being banned? It may take people out hallucations and face the reality. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
burahadeer Posted August 31, 2011 It's not really drug but will characterize useless.Only good for social gathering & wasting time.Millions of dollars go out of somalia daily. Need to be banned heheeee; IMPOSSIBLE! unless eradicated by Ethiopia which is not gona happen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
isqarxis Posted September 2, 2011 long live 571 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
