NORTH IOWA – The North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force arrested two men this week for possession of an exotic drug from Africa.
According to Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pals, on Thursday, April 17, members of the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force in the course of an ongoing narcotics investigation arrested Abdi-Deeq Sheikh Ahmed Imankey, age 34, of Minneapolis, MN. Imankey was found to be in possession of more than 100 pounds of a drug called Khat.
Khat is a flowering plant that is native to the Horn of Africa. Khat contains Cathinone, an amphetamine-like stimulant which is said to cause euphoria and manic behaviors similar in effects to those produced by amphetamine. Khat is used mostly by chewing the plant. Khat is a schedule 1 controlled substance in the United States and Iowa. The Khat seized today had an estimated street value of $50,000.
Imankey was charged with possession of Khat with the intent to deliver – a class “C” felony – and failure to affix a drug tax stamp, a Class “D” felony. Imankey is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail.
Also this week, on Tuesday, April 15, the task force arrested Dayax Abdi Ahmed, age 38, of Apple Valley, MN. Ahmed was found to be in possession of multiple pounds of Khat. He was charged with possession of Khat with the intent to deliver – a class “C” felony – and failure to affix a drug tax stamp, a Class “D” felony. Ahmed is being held in the Worth County Jail. The Khat seized Tuesday had an estimated street value of $8,000.
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