By Zamzam Osman - Reporter
Djibouti, 1 February 2026 Djibouti Customs officers have arrested four men, one of whom had swallowed 29 capsules of cocaine, following inspections conducted at the Balho border crossing with Ethiopia.
The operation took place on the evening of January 28 in the Tadjourah region, near the Balho customs post, after border guards stopped four men of Chadian origin who were attempting to cross the checkpoint and enter Djibouti illegally.
Customs officials said the suspects’ behavior raised suspicion, leading officers to suspect the use of the so-called body packing method, a technique frequently used by drug trafficking networks operating in the region.
The four suspects were taken to Tadjourah Regional Hospital, where medical examinations confirmed that one of them had cocaine concealed in his stomach.
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In accordance with medical procedures, customs services recovered 29 cocaine capsules, weighing approximately 580 grams.
The seized narcotics are estimated to be worth around 14.5 million Djiboutian francs, equivalent to about $81,000, officials said.
The suspects and the seized drugs were handed over to Tadjourah police, and the individuals are expected to appear in court in the coming days as investigations continue.
Djibouti authorities said the operation reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen border security and combat drug trafficking networks operating across the Horn of Africa.
