Deputy Customs Commissioner Among 91 Detained in Sweeping Anti-Corruption Crackdown
staff writer
August 6, 2026
Deputy Customs Commissioner Azezew Chane is among 91 suspects taken into custody as part of a sweeping anti-corruption operation targeting alleged organised economic crimes within Ethiopia’s revenues and customs sector, the government announced on Thursday.
The arrests form part of a broader nationwide crackdown that authorities say is aimed at protecting Ethiopia’s ongoing macroeconomic reform programme from corruption, contraband and organised economic sabotage.
Government Communication Service Minister Enatalem Melese said, speaking at a press briefing, said investigations uncovered alleged networks within the revenues and customs administration that manipulated tax assessments, processed forged payment receipts and deleted electronic records, resulting in losses of government revenue.
According to the minister, authorities identified 109 suspects allegedly linked to the networks through accounts held in their own names as well as those of relatives and associates. Of those, 91 suspects, including Deputy Customs Commissioner Azezew Chane, have been taken into custody.
The customs investigation was announced alongside a series of enforcement measures across multiple sectors that the government says have been infiltrated by organised criminal networks seeking to undermine the country’s economic reform agenda.
Authorities warned owners of 13 supplier companies accused of hoarding essential consumer goods to create artificial shortages and sealed more than 7,000 businesses and warehouses over alleged illegal trading activities.
In the financial sector, 169 Ethiopian and foreign nationals were subjected to legal action over alleged involvement in illegal foreign exchange trading, Hawala operations and black-market currency transactions. Authorities also detained 36 individuals accused of fraud involving Commercial Bank of Ethiopia customer accounts, banned seven cryptocurrency applications allegedly facilitating illegal financial transfers and initiated proceedings against 29 exporters accused of failing to repatriate export earnings.
The government also announced measures against 38 betting companies over alleged tax evasion and illegal money transfers, while 183 individuals, including government officials, security personnel, producers and foreign nationals, were investigated over alleged gold smuggling and contraband.
Elsewhere, authorities reported legal action against 38 government officials accused of involvement in illegal fuel distribution schemes and more than 650 individuals, fuel stations and supplier companies linked to illicit fuel trading. Investigations were also launched into alleged procurement irregularities at the Ministry of Agriculture, electricity supply agreements involving senior officials at Ethiopian Electric Power and corruption and human trafficking-related offences within the Ministry of Labour and Skills.
The government said organised corruption and illicit economic activities have contributed to foreign currency shortages, inflation, contraband and market distortions, posing a threat to Ethiopia’s macroeconomic reform programme.
Enatalem said the government would continue pursuing what she described as a zero-tolerance approach to corruption, adding that investigations are ongoing and further legal action is expected.
The allegations announced by the government have not yet been tested in court, and those detained are presumed innocent unless proven guilty through the judicial process.
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