The Civil Guard intercepted a warehouse at the port of Barcelona, uncovering a staggering 3.2 tons of khat with an estimated value of 61 million euros and detaining one of the alleged traffickers. This operation stands as the largest khat seizure ever recorded in Europe, a plant-based stimulant with hallucinogenic properties that originates from Africa and Southern Arabia.
Officials described an expansive business network involved in importing khat, also known as cathinone. The leaves of a specific shrub are traditionally chewed or brewed as an infusion, though synthetic variants exist that can deliver stronger effects.
Investigators began the inquiry earlier this year after intelligence suggested that, in collaboration with a police operation in France, khat could be stored within Barcelona’s port facilities. The network maintained branches across several countries and operated to move khat into the European Union through Spain, using a layered corporate structure designed to obscure trade routes and hinder clear identification by customs officials.
As the effort progressed, authorities uncovered falsified customs declarations aimed at bypassing audit checks, a tactic that significantly impeded risk analysis for these kinds of shipments. A Spanish national connected to the network was arrested in Barcelona, and investigations were opened into three companies tied to him and the 61 million euro worth of seized drugs.
Locating remaining members of the network proved difficult, as the operation targeted imports from third countries and the individuals involved were spread across different jurisdictions. The seizure marks a major blow to the khat supply chain in Europe and highlights coordinated actions across agencies and borders to disrupt illicit trafficking.
The operation involved collaboration with regional authorities and specialized units, including health and toxicology teams, forensic science institutes, and customs offices at both the port and the Barcelona airport. These partnerships played a crucial role in identification, seizure, and the subsequent investigative steps that followed the interception.
Authorities emphasized that the investigation is ongoing as officers work to trace additional links within the network, identify further entities implicated, and assess the full scope of the operation. The case illustrates how organized crime groups leverage international routes and layered corporate fronts to move contraband through key logistics hubs, presenting ongoing challenges to customs controls and border security in Europe.