Tuesday, June 15, 2010 | 3:15 p.m.
CARSON CITY – The state Gaming Control Board wants disciplinary action imposed on the owner of a Las Vegas convenience store who sold Khat, an illegal drug, to customers.
A complaint was filed against Worku Y. Berhanu, owner of the Dakota Convenience Store, 990 Sierra Vista Drive, which holds a license to operate slot machines.
Khat, according to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, is a drug that produces delusions and hallucinations. It is a Schedule 1 controlled substance when fresh, and after decomposition becomes a Schedule 4 controlled substance.
The DEA says it has been widely used since the 13th century as a recreational drug by indigenous people in the Middle East but there is no legitimate medical use for Khat in this country.
Metro Police conducted surveillance of the store in 2008 and on two occasions stopped individuals with bags of Khat, who said they had purchased it.
Berhanu told police the drug was for his own use. He then pleaded guilty last year to the misdemeanor of possession of dangerous drugs.
The control board, in its complaint, is asking the state Gaming Commission to levy a fine against Berhanu and to take action against his license.
The complaint, prepared by Senior Deputy Attorney General Michael Somps, said Berhanu’s actions reflect negatively on the state and the gaming business.
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