Retired teacher suspected of posting drugs from Africa to US, via Athens

A 63-year-old retired schoolteacher was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of illegally importing large quantities of the contraband stimulant khat from Africa and selling it in the United States, all via the postal service.

In a joint operation with drug enforcement authorities, customs officials at Athens International Airport first intercepted a parcel from Nairobi containing 68 kilograms of khat and addressed to the defendant.

After his arrest, another 14 packages were intercepted with over 120 kilos of the drug. Investigators also found evidence that the 63-year-old had sent several large parcels to the US in the past few months.