Customs Officers Seize Contraband Goods worth 44.4 Million Birr in A week

ADDIS ABABA – Customs officials intercepted contraband goods and foreign currencies worth more than 44.4 million birr between Oct. 1 and Oct 7, said Ethiopia’s Ministry of Revenue.

The contraband goods seized by customs authorities include food items, electronics, cosmetics products, cigarettes, Weapons clothes, spare parts of vehicles, medicines and foreign currencies.

The Ministry on Monday said the majority of them have been seized while being smuggled into the country. Officials estimated their value to be more than 43 million birr.

The remaining nearly 1.44 million birr worth of items were captured while leaving the nation.

The ministry vowed to crack down on contraband trades while urging the public to continue their support to customs officials.

Almost ten days ago, illegal cigarettes worth 7.8 million birr were seized by Awash Customs Branch Officers after a tip-off led them to intercept a shipment.