DEA indicts 44 on khat-smuggling charges

Minneapolis StarTribune (aka The Red Star) ^ | 7/26/06 | Wire Story

[MplsSteve]

Fedderal drug enforcement agents announced the indictment today of 44 people across the country, including more than a dozen from Minnesota, on charges of smuggling more than 25 tons of khat, a plant that causes a high when chewed or smoked.

The group, mostly East African immigrants, is accused of smuggling bundles of the plant from the Horn of Africa

[MplsSteve]

Chances are, most of us have heard of khat - although it is not a commonly known drug.

This doesn't surprise me that almost 1/4 of those indicted are from Minnesota. We have a large Somali population here in the Twin Cities, particularly in Minneapolis. I see them all the time in downtown Minneapolis.

This group shows no signs of wanting to assimilate into American society - unless assimilating means getting public assistance.

I can't wait to see how the local spokesman for the Somali community is gonna spin this.

Let me guess...RACISM...CULTURAL INSENSITIVITY...Did I miss any?

Comments or opinions - anyone?

[cpprfld]

I was always wondering what the government was thinking when they sent the Somalians to Minneapolis.

[lilylangtree]

No one can argue with your opinion because we know hit the bullseye.

[gaijin]

Well, we've HAD a black criminal underclass on welfare with drug problems, and now apparently we're going to get a black MUSLIM criminal underclass on welfare with drug problems...

[in hoc signo vinces]

Somalia...

anyone whose seen BlackHawk down has heard of the drug...

[akorahil]

now apparently we're going to get a black MUSLIM criminal underclass on welfare with drug problems...

Just like the French! Ooh, how exciting! We will soon be as cosmopolitan as Europe! Watch out America, Here comes the sophisticated Twin Cities!

I will now allow you all to get some towels to wipe up that dripping sarcasm...

[newcthem]

Hey........anybody who lands at the MPS International Airport would swear they are in a third world nations.....You can't get a cup of Starbucks unless you are fluent in Somali.

[happygrl]

Somalis were among those most prominent in cheering on 9-11.

They were also known to have cheered when "Black Hawk Down" was shown in theaters, and NOT for the Americans.

WHY DID WE LET THESE PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTRY ?

[Magnum44]

Did someone say CAT JUGGLING ????

< Steve Martin off >

[Rte66]

" ... Chances are, most of us have heard of khat ..."

I've never heard of it and have no idea what it is. Sorry.

[akorahil]

Yeah....
It's like the Mos Eisley Cantina: 200 languages there, and not one of them English.
"No, I don't speak Bocce. No, I didn't know you had the death sentence in twelve systems-I'll be careful..."