Addis Ababa police stopped a truck in the Merkato area and searched it in the Addis Ketema sub-city, according to the Ethiopian Monitor. About 200 kilograms of cannabis, by police estimate, was hidden among bundles of second-hand clothing known locally as Bonda.
The driver was arrested at the scene. Possible charges named were possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime. The article cites the Ethiopian criminal code penalty for possessing, transporting or storing narcotic or psychotropic drugs: at least five years in jail and a fine of up to 100,000 birr. The investigation was ongoing when the article ran. He is not named.
Why it matters: The statutory minimum the article cites is five years. The seizure is large, and no conviction is reported.
Source: Ethiopian Monitor, 2022-08-09. Forgotten Prisoner's account is based on this reporting. An arrest or charge is not proof of guilt.