Police in Puntland’s capital, Garowe Monday confiscated and destroyed several kilograms of khat following illegal smuggling of the leafy stimulant into the town.
Puntland Police Commissioner Muhyadin Ahmed Muse told journalists the consignment was discovered by police following a tip off from members of the public.
The bags of the khat were confiscated at the checkpoint of the town, according to Muhyadin.
He warned khat traders in the city against smuggling in the product as it violated a government directive banning its import.
A similar operation, in Bossaso and Mogadishu late last month led to the destruction of several kilograms of khat, which had illegally been imported into the country from Kenya and Ethiopia.
While announcing an international flight ban mid last month, the Federal Government added khat to the list of items prohibited in the country to curb the possible import of COVID-19 from countries of origin.
Most of the khat consumed in Somalia originate from Kenya and Ethiopia.
The Federal Government extended the international flights ban on March 28 and grounded all local passenger flights in response to the COVID-19 spread.
Somalia has so far recorded seven cases of the deadly global pandemic.
