30 Ethiopians intercepted in suspected case of human trafficking

ADDIS ABABA — Authorities in Ethiopia’s Amhara regional state disclosed on Friday they have intercepted 30 individuals in a suspected case of human trafficking.

The 30 individuals were being transported secretly on a freight truck, when they were intercepted at a local security checkpoint in central Gonder zone of the region.

The driver of the freight vehicle and his assistant have been arrested on suspicion of engaging in a human trafficking operation, officials said.

Authorities didn’t specify the intended final destination of the 30 individuals that were being smuggled.

But thousands of Ethiopians annually travel to foreign countries to the Gulf, Europe and South Africa seeking employment through irregular migration channels, according to International Labour Organization (ILO)