An Israeli TikTok star was arrested in France this week along with three others, on suspicion of attempting to smuggle some 220 kilograms (480 lbs) of khat leaves into the country.
Chen Elkayam, who has some 60,000 followers on the social media platform, was stopped at Paris’s Orly Airport and is currently under arrest along with the others as local police investigate.
Though legal in Israel, the leaves are considered a drug in Europe and are illegal.
Khat leaves contain two amphetamines, cathinone and cathine. Among the positive effects are a sense of mild euphoria, increased alertness and relief from fatigue. However, they also present several health risks, including depression, irritability, increased blood pressure and heart rate, loss of appetite and insomnia.
The are no restrictions on khat’s sale or distribution in Israel and it is frequently used by the country’s Yemenite and Ethiopian communities.
Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition
by email and never miss our top stories
By signing up, you agree to the
terms
In recent years Israeli organized crime groups have been paying travelers to smuggle khat leaves to European countries, where they can be sold for hefty sums.
A friend of one of those arrested told Channel 12: “Someone used them and tempted them to carry out the smuggling, claiming that it’s not a drug and nothing will happen to them. They believed the seller and now they’re screwed.”
Responsibly covering this tumultuous time
As The Times of Israel’s political correspondent, I spend my days in the Knesset trenches, speaking with politicians and advisers to understand their plans, goals and motivations.
I'm proud of our coverage of this government's plans to overhaul the judiciary, including the political and social discontent that underpins the proposed changes and the intense public backlash against the shakeup.
Your support through The Times of Israel Community helps us continue to keep readers across the world properly informed during this tumultuous time. Have you appreciated our coverage in past months? If so, please join the ToI Community today.
~ Carrie Keller-Lynn, Political Correspondent
Yes, I'll join
Yes, I'll join
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this
You're a dedicated reader
We’re really pleased that you’ve read X Times of Israel articles in the past month.
That’s why we started the Times of Israel eleven years ago - to provide discerning readers like you with must-read coverage of Israel and the Jewish world.
So now we have a request. Unlike other news outlets, we haven’t put up a paywall. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community.
For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members.
Thank you,
David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel
Join Our Community
Join Our Community
Already a member? Sign in to stop seeing this