Addis Ababa, July 17, 2026 (FMC) — Ethiopian Federal Police, working in close coordination with Dubai Police in the United Arab Emirates, have arrested two suspected leaders of a human trafficking network accused of subjecting Ethiopian migrants to severe abuse, torture and exploitation.
The suspects, identified as Dawood Teferi and Desta Tegegn, were apprehended in Dubai and extradited to Ethiopia following a joint cross-border operation, according to the Federal Police.
Police said the suspects orchestrated an elaborate trafficking scheme that lured at least 105 Ethiopians to Dubai through deception, extorting more than 188 million birr from the victims while subjecting many of them to grave human rights abuses.
Investigators said the suspects operated without a legal license to recruit or send workers abroad. Since 2023, they allegedly targeted young Ethiopians by falsely promising employment opportunities with various companies in the UAE.
According to the investigation, victims were charged between 320,000 and 600,000 birr each for fraudulent tourist visas. Payments were reportedly collected in Ethiopian birr, UAE dirhams and Saudi riyals through bank accounts opened by associates inside Ethiopia.
Upon arrival in Dubai, the victims were allegedly confined in designated holding facilities, forced into labor, and required to pay additional fees under the guise of commissions. When their two-month tourist visas expired, the traffickers allegedly demanded 1,200 dirhams from each victim, falsely claiming the payment would secure a two-year residence permit and threatening deportation for those who refused.
Police said many victims endured prolonged confinement, starvation and physical abuse. Women were reportedly subjected to sexual violence and other forms of torture while being held in overcrowded rooms alongside male victims.
The Federal Police said court warrants had been secured against the suspects and other members of the network operating both inside and outside Ethiopia before the joint operation with Dubai Police led to their arrest and extradition.
Authorities also arrested two additional suspects, Bzuayehu Awgichew and Rahmet Abebe, who are accused of recruiting victims within Ethiopia and facilitating the collection of illicit payments through locally opened bank accounts.
The Federal Police said the investigation into the transnational trafficking network is continuing with the support of advanced investigative technology. Authorities are also receiving testimony remotely from victims who remain in Dubai and were allegedly subjected to severe abuse.
The investigation has further uncovered indications that some agencies operating under the guise of legal authorization may have collaborated with traffickers in committing serious crimes against Ethiopian citizens. Police said efforts are underway to identify all those involved and hold them accountable.
The Federal Police added that they are continuing to work closely with Dubai Police and the Ethiopian Embassy in Dubai to bring to justice all individuals involved in the trafficking network and other illegal activities carried out under the cover of legitimate recruitment.
While thanking all institutions that contributed to the successful operation, the Federal Police urged the public to continue supporting law enforcement by reporting information through the EFPApp Citizen Participation Application, the toll-free 991 hotline and the Smart Police Station (SPS).