Married couple from London charged with smuggling the stimulant khat into North America

A husband and wife from west London were today charged with smuggling the stimulant khat to North America.

Osman Ali Said, 42, and Hinda Ali Dalmar, 37, will appear in court on Monday accused of being part of a group who mislabelled parcels of the drug destined for the US and Canada where it is illegal. The mild stimulant is not banned in the UK and is used widely in the Horn of Africa.

Seven other people were arrested in May following a Scotland Yard inquiry into suspected fundraising for terrorism overseas. They were later charged with criminal offences. An inquiry into suspected overseas terrorism funding is continuing.