Ethiopian police seize weapons smuggled from Sudan

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

October 13, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopian security forces have seized hundreds of illegal weapons smuggled into the horn of Africa nation from neighboring Sudan, federal police said on Saturday.

Ethiopian police in collaboration with regional border guards confiscated the weapons in Metama town in the Amhara region which borders the Blue Nile state of Sudan.

“Police have seized a total of 481 pistols and 13,000 bullets” Fekadu Berhe of the Ethiopia’s Federal Police Media and Communication Department told Sudan Tribune.

The added that a number of smugglers have been arrested during the operations without giving an exact figure.

It is not yet clear if the smugglers belong to any rebel groups. Other than confirming that the smugglers were all Ethiopian nationals, police officials declined to give further details saying the case is under investigation.

The federal police also say they have managed to intercept large amount of arms of various types during the past few months. Metema has long been a gateway for arms smugglers who attempt to cross Ethiopia via the Sudanese borders by hiding on cars and trucks.

(ST)