A New Zealand-Somali community leader says the use of the drug khat by a small group is causing unwanted delays at the border for hundreds of people.
The plant is illegal in New Zealand, but that hasn't stopped vast quantities being seized.
The plant is a centuries-old part of Somali culture but in New Zealand it's not welcome.
"We see a steady supply of khat coming into New Zealand," says Customs manager Shane Penettiere. "Both MPI and Customs deal with khat in various forms, either fresh or dried."
"Usually MPI examines it first for pests and diseases, then we'll hand it to Customs for them to manage," says Ministry of Primary Industries passenger and mail manager Craig Hughes.
Figures obtained by 3 News show more than 100kg have been intercepted since July 2011.
Khat releases an amphetamine-like stimulant when chewed and is native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
"They don't see it as a big deal," says chairman of the Somali Community of Wellington Yussuf Khalif. "They see it like you drinking a coffee."
Mr Khalif believes most Kiwi-Somalis are aware khat is a Class C controlled drug in New Zealand. But because the drug's still being imported, he says many in his community are stopped and searched at the border.
"Every time they go and come back they have to be searched, and some people say they are asked straight away by Customs, 'Do you have khat?'" says Mr Khalif. "They'll say, 'I don't even chew. I don't even use it.'
But they don't believe it. That's the thing. We want people to be treated normally, not targeted."
But Customs says it doesn't target or single out Somali travellers. The spokesperson went on to say no one had been stopped and searched specifically for khat in recent weeks.
3 News
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