MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) — Senior members of Somalia’s security agencies and employees of Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu have been found to be involved in drug smuggling — including cannabis — and the illegal trafficking of people through the airport.
CCTV footage obtained by Kaab TV shows two airport employees directly handing bags to passengers in the arrivals area, instead of allowing passengers to collect their own luggage.
Sources inside the airport told us that covert drug smuggling operations have been ongoing at the airport for a long time.
In September, Somali police seized up to 189 cartons of various types of drugs — including dangerous narcotics — that were being smuggled into Mogadishu at Aden Adde International Airport.
Police spokesperson Sadiq Dodishe stated that the drugs were concealed inside cartons disguised as ordinary goods and had been brought from Kenya.
Police said the seized drugs were burned and destroyed. However, no arrests were made of those who carried them.
CCTV FOOTAGE
The CCTV footage shows airport workers wearing yellow vests — the standard uniform used to identify staff — handling two bags, one a backpack and the other a hand-carried bag.
Sources say these bags were sent from Kenya, and upon arrival at the airport, airport workers were assigned to pass them through.
Senior airport security officials, including NISA Commander Col. Hamdi Hassan, have been accused of overseeing this criminal network involved in organised crime.
The police spokesperson also stated that organised criminal groups are facilitating human trafficking through the airport, charging thousands of dollars per person.
In December 2025, Somali immigration officials announced the arrest of airport employees involved in illegal human trafficking.
Officials said they seized fraudulent passports from European countries, the UK, and the United States, which were being used to illegally smuggle people out of the country.
To date, the group has not been brought before a court.
There is growing concern among regional security agencies about Mogadishu’s airport — the largest international departure point in the country — following the emergence of information indicating that members of terrorist groups have departed through Mogadishu airport.
Additionally, Mogadishu police today arrested two officers from Turkish company Favori LLC, which manages Mogadishu’s airport and seaport, on charges of corruption and negligence, according to security sources who spoke to Kaab TV.
