Ethiopian security officials at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport have arrested Mukisa Stella, a Ugandan national, for allegedly attempting to smuggle 500 grams of cocaine. The illicit substance was found concealed within female sanitary pads, a method designed to evade routine physical and electronic screenings. The suspect was transiting from Lilongwe, Malawi, with a final destination of Manila, Philippines.
This arrest comes amid a significant surge in narcotics activity, with the Ethiopia Customs Commission reporting a 254% increase in drug trafficking attempts over the last two years. The estimated market value of drugs moving through the hub rose from $80 million to $190 million between 2022 and 2025. Just days prior, authorities seized over four kilograms of cocaine in a separate operation.
The suspect has been handed over to the Ethiopian Federal Police as investigations continue into potential links to wider criminal syndicates. With the airport processing 22 million passengers annually, the NISS is currently intensifying international intelligence sharing to counter these evolving smuggling tactics.