According to a state criminal complaint, two men are accused of smuggling more than 750 pounds of the illegal stimulant known as “khat” into the United States. The stimulant was packed into a dozen suitcases and flown from Africa to O’Hare International Airport. Prosecutors indicated that cathinone, the active substance in khat, has “no acceptable medical use” and carries “a high degree of addiction.”
Mustapha Fisuru, 24, and Tiekoro Diawara, 25, face charges of manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance, as well as trafficking. Judge James Costello denied the state’s request to detain them.
Court documents reveal that Fisuru and Diawara arrived at O’Hare from Senegal, each with six large suitcases and a backpack. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents from the Interdiction Trafficking Task Force observed them at Terminal 5 baggage claim. The agents noted that the two men split up to appear unconnected and seemed unsure about their luggage. They eventually sought assistance from airport staff to load their bags onto carts. Customs agents then conducted a secondary inspection as they left the baggage claim area.
The search of Fisuru’s belongings uncovered 83 large bundles of suspected khat in the suitcases and one bundle in his backpack. Similarly, Diawara’s luggage contained 82 bundles, with another in his backpack. Fisuru was reportedly carrying 379.51 pounds of suspected khat, while Diawara had 374.83 pounds.
Diawara allegedly informed investigators that Fisuru had recruited him for an all-expenses-paid trip to Africa to collect suitcases he believed contained “Miranga” tea, for which he would receive $1,000 upon returning to the U.S. After arriving in Senegal, they were driven to a hotel and later picked up by a van with the suitcases already inside.
Diawara claimed he was told the material was “Rosemary,” used for medicinal reasons. Prosecutors uncovered text messages with instructions on evading law enforcement in Chicago, but Diawara maintained these were to help avoid flight delays to New York City.
Fisuru reportedly said his brother recruited him to collect suitcases containing “Raspberry Tea” and requested he bring a friend, which led to Diawara’s involvement. Fisuru stated he had limited knowledge about his brother’s tea business and this was his first pickup.
Prosecutors also found messages between Fisuru and his brother discussing the collection of suitcases from other airports in the northeastern U.S. and payment for deliveries.
Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that a third individual was arrested at O’Hare on August 20 for smuggling khat. The agency stated that the three individuals attempted to import over 1,170 pounds of the illegal stimulant into the U.S. through the airport, though none were identified by name.
