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Police say people are steaming the insects and inhaling the vapour in order to get high.
They have now classified this particular kind of ant – which goes by the scientific name is Tapinoma Sessile- as a drug. The ants are known to contain formic acid, reports the ‘BBC’
“There are accounts of birds appearing ‘drunk’ after eating large quantities of these ants,” adds the British broadcaster.
Speaking in an interview with local TV station Somali Cable, a security officer confirmed that people are deliberately using the ants to get a similar kick.
“They cut off the ants’ bottoms, then they put them in the pan with the lid on – after it’s boiled for a while people sit around and hover over it, and they get high,” the officer said.
“Is this real?” the presenter, surprised, posed in the interview.
“Yes,” the security officer replied. “Then they become light-headed”.
It is believed that owing to the popularity of this six-legged, crawling drug, there is now a national “shortage”.
Formic acid is also found in venom of bee. It is a carboxylic acid containing a single carbon. It is used as a preservative and as antibacterial agent in livestock feed. Ingesting it can cause dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
