Ethiopian Police Arrest 22 in Major Human Trafficking Network Exploiting 2,000 Migrants

Ethiopian police have arrested 22 people linked to a major human trafficking network that exploited nearly 2,000 migrants, generating $13 million in ransoms and causing at least two deaths and 15 disappearances. The gang lured victims with false promises of a better life in Europe and held them hostage until families paid ransom. Ethiopia is a key departure point for migrants to the Gulf and Europe.

Ethiopian police have announced the arrest of 22 individuals accused of running a large-scale human trafficking network that exploited nearly 2,000 people. According to authorities, the suspects operated as organized “criminal gangs” and lured vulnerable migrants by promising them opportunities to travel to Europe and build a better life. In reality, the migrants were detained in warehouses and forced to contact their families to pay ransoms, effectively holding them hostage until the demanded payments were made.
Police reports indicate that the network generated more than 2.16 billion birr, equivalent to approximately $13 million, from trafficking around 1,800 people. The operations led to at least two confirmed deaths and 15 individuals reported missing, highlighting the dangerous and exploitative nature of the trafficking ring. Authorities described the network as highly organized, with the accused using deceptive promises and coercion to manipulate and exploit desperate individuals seeking safer or more prosperous futures abroad.
Ethiopia has long been identified as one of Africa’s main departure points for migrants traveling to the Gulf states and Europe, making it a central hub for human trafficking activities. The arrests are part of ongoing law enforcement efforts to dismantle trafficking networks and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation.
In a related development, Ethiopian state media reported that five people were sentenced to death in August for human trafficking offenses. While the death penalty remains a legal punishment in the country, Ethiopia has not carried out an execution since 2007, according to the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. These measures underscore the government’s heightened focus on addressing human trafficking and holding perpetrators accountable.