A Thornlie husband and wife have been caught with more than 32kg of the illegal drug Khat - a plant with effects similar to amphetamines, police say.
WA police spokeswoman Susan Usher said Cannington detectives intercepted three parcels from Australia Post, containing about 7.5kg of Khat, following a tip-off last week.
After the controlled delivery of the parcels to the house of a 40-year-old man and his 37-year-old wife detectives searched the premises where they nabbed a further 25kg of the drug and cash.
Sergeant Lambert said that while growing khat in Australia was legal, removing and using the leaves was not.
He said the plant, which is chewed as a stimulant in many areas of eastern Africa, is common in Perth, particularly in the western suburbs.
The flowering plant contains Cathinone which is listed as a prohibited drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.
"It grows legally, but cultivating its leaves is illegal," Sgt Lambert.
"We have dealt with quite a few cases of trespass where people have scaled fences or gone onto properties to try to grab the plant's leaves."
He said the Thornlie case was unusual because of the large amount involved.
The couple were charged with attempting to possess a prohibited drug with intent to sell or supply, possessing the drug and unlawful possession.
They are due to appear in the Armadale Magistrate court on December 3.
- with AAP