Djibouti, 19 October 2025 — Authorities in Djibouti on Saturday destroyed 3,500 kilograms of khat seized during a security operation targeting cross-border smuggling.
The operation, conducted in the Ali Sabieh region, involved customs officials and security forces, who intercepted the illicit shipment en route to the capital, Djibouti City.
Regional customs officials present at the scene said the destruction was part of ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and unregulated trade, which they noted undermines the national economy and deprives the state of tax revenue.
The seized khat was publicly burned, with officials emphasizing the government’s determination to enforce customs laws and safeguard Djibouti’s economic interests.
This is not the first time Djiboutian authorities have destroyed illegally imported khat, as similar operations have previously been carried out across the country.
