ADDIS ABABA, April 2 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government on Tuesday disclosed the seizure of 48.4 kg of cocaine while being smuggled into a third destination country during the past eight months period.

The reported 48.4 kg cocaine was seized at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's major international hub, state news agency ENA reporting, citing the Addis Ababa City Administration Customs Office.

The Ababa City Administration Customs Office also said that smugglers, who were on transit via Addis Ababa, were detained together with the illegal substance.

The office, however, did not disclose details about the cocaine smugglers, including their number as well as identity. Despite indicating the smuggled substance has been en route to third countries, destinations countries were not also disclosed.

An Ethiopian court had previously sentenced a Nigerian national, who was caught hiding cocaine in stomach, to seven years in prison in similar smuggling attempt.

Emeka Raphael, 36, who was arrested by Ethiopian authorities in Addis Ababa Bole International Airport while he was transiting from Brazil to Nigeria, was caught by airport security after some 27 plastic stashes of cocaine weighing 500 grams were detected in his stomach. Enditem

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