Major khat seizure at Melbourne airport

A major khat smuggling operation has been busted after more than $1 million worth of the psychoactive plant was seized at Melbourne airport.

Around 735kg of the border controlled plant, also called Qat, was found concealed in the suitcases of 13 passengers - 12 Australians and one with a US passport - who arrived on a flight from Qatar late on Wednesday.

Customs received a tip-off that alerted them to the smuggling operation, according to an Australian Border Force statement.