Customs commission seized contraband goods worth 81mln birr

Addis Ababa, August 31, 2022 (FBC) – Ethiopian Customs Commission has confirmed that it has seized 74.9 million Birr worth of imported contraband goods and 6.5 million Birr worth export goods which totaled 81.4 million ETB, at various branches, during the surveillance from August 19 – 25, 2022.

According to the Commission, Hawassa, Dire-Dawa and Adama branch offices have mainly contributed in controlling illegal trading and they have managed to seize contraband goods worth more than 23.9 million, 12.2 million and 6.7 million birr, respectively.

Among the contraband items seized are clothes, fuel, cattle, electronics, coffee, medicine, vehicles, cosmetics, weapons, khat, drugs, cooking oil and currencies of different countries.

The contraband goods were seized by the joint efforts of the Customs Commission staff, Ethiopian Federal Police, State Police members and the public through searches, flights and tip-offs, and two people who were found to be transporting the contraband goods were arrested, confirmed the Commission.

The Customs Commission expressed its gratitude to the commission staff, state and Federal Police and the entire public who participated in this law enforcement work.

The Commission has called on all stakeholders and the public to play their part in order to curb the activities of smuggling and illegal trade and prevent the negative impact on the country’s economy.