Qat gives Yemeni travellers trouble [Archives:2003/683/Local News]

Hassan Al-Zaidi
QYemenis travelling abroad face great problems if they take large amounts of qat with them while travelling.
For instance the Yemeni authorities recently negotiated with UAE – Dubai security the release of student Adil Haidara, who faced 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of 50 thousand Dirham because of being caught carrying 50 kilograms of qat in his luggage.
Adil had stopped for transit in Dubai on his way back to Germany to continue his studies.
Another Yemeni student was arrested last month in Cairo Airport and was facing a conviction of 15 years for carrying large amounts of qat in his bags. Yemeni authorities again intervened and he was released after great efforts.
This is what happens when Yemenis carry qat outside the country especially into countries where this plant is considered a drug.
An authorised personality at Sana’a airport told the Yemen Times that passengers are checked before departure and any amounts of qat found are confiscated. However, some people still manage to get qat through security.
——
[archive-e:683-v:13-y:2003-d:2003-11-06-p:ln]