APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Police in Ethiopia have arrested 32 individuals including senior government security officials for alleged involvement in illegal gold production, circulation, and trade, APA reported on Thursday.
The arrests came after the National Information and Security Services (NISS). The country’s intelligence office said it has found out that the 32 suspects were allegedly involved in establishing relations with foreigners in a corrupt way, selling gold in black market and harming the national interest of Ethiopia.
NISS, eight of those arrested are in the government security structures, seven of them are individuals who allegedly exploited business licenses as a cover to engage in illegal practice, and 17 of them are accused of circulating illegally acquired gold products.
NISS in its report did not disclose the identities of the suspects who are allegedly involved in the illegal gold trade.
The report also mentioned that it has arrested 29 foreigners about two weeks ago from Benishangul Gumuz region of Ethiopia over illegal gold production and trade.
Furthermore, the report indicated that illegal gold production and trade was happening in Gambella region, South West Ethiopia region and Benishangul Gumuz region.
NISS said it is making claims that it has established that arrested government security officials ditched their national mission and responsibility to engage in the “illegal practice.”
It is making further claims that they rather exploited their government position as a cover to engage in the “illegal practice.”
The Ethiopian government says research conducted in the area revealed that illegal practice in the mining sector is extensive but no detail was provided as to when it was conducted and who was behind it.
MG/as/APA