The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted an international khat leaves trafficking racket in Bengaluru, seizing 160 kg of the contraband valued at approximately Rs 8 crore. This marks the largest seizure of khat in Karnataka since 2018. The NCB stated that India is used as a transit country for khat, which is smuggled from Ethiopia via Kenya. A transnational syndicate, operating in over 20 countries, allegedly used postal and courier services to send large quantities to North America, Europe, and the Middle East, camouflaging it as tea. Foreign nationals, aided by local facilitators, were reportedly involved, with some residing in India on student or medical visas.