Ethiopian Intelligence Intercepts International Cocaine and Khat Smuggling Ring at Bole International Airport

Ethiopian security (NISS) arrests a Ugandan smuggler and intercepts over 100kg of narcotics at Bole Airport using advanced detection tech.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 11:48 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Ethiopian News Agency

A High-Stakes Interception in Global Transit

The National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) has announced a significant breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against international narcotics trafficking. In a press statement released on Thursday, authorities confirmed the arrest of Stella Mukisa, a Ugandan national, at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. Mukisa was allegedly attempting to smuggle 500 grams of cocaine while in transit from Lilongwe, Malawi, to Manila, Philippines. The seizure was the result of a coordinated effort between NISS aviation security experts and partner agencies, highlighting the increased scrutiny placed on transcontinental travel routes passing through Ethiopia.

Advanced Technology and Institutional Reform

The successful detection of the illicit substances has been attributed to comprehensive institutional reforms within the NISS Aviation Security Main Directorate. Officials noted that the integration of cutting-edge detection technology and specialized human resource training has allowed security personnel to identify sophisticated concealment methods. Following the initial discovery, Mukisa was handed over to the Ethiopian Federal Police Commission's Narcotics Control and Investigation Department. This department is currently conducting a deeper forensic examination to trace the origin of the cocaine and identify potential accomplices within the smuggling network.

Disrupting the European-African Khat Trade

In addition to the cocaine seizure, aviation security experts intercepted two separate shipments of dried Khat moving through the airport over consecutive days. In the first instance, 86 kilograms of Khat were found on a flight from London destined for Kenya. Shortly thereafter, an additional 17.5 kilograms were discovered on a flight originating in Milan, Italy, which was headed for Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These interceptions demonstrate a shift in smuggling patterns, where traditional regional commodities are being trafficked across European borders and back into the African continent using Ethiopia as a midpoint.