Seven people have been arrested in Addis Ababa over alleged off-book sales exceeding 1 million birr, following a targeted enforcement operation by the Addis Ababa City Administration Revenues Bureau.

The bureau said the arrests were made during coordinated, unannounced inspections of five wool garment businesses in different parts of the capital. The suspects — including business owners and employees, were allegedly caught conducting transactions without issuing receipts, in breach of tax administration requirements.

Officials said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Addis Ababa Police Commission. The individuals detained are under investigation and are expected to be presented before a court.

The bureau stated that failure to issue receipts violates tax regulations and undermines government revenue collection. It added that similar enforcement measures will continue in other sectors.

Businesses were urged to comply with receipt issuance rules, while members of the public were encouraged to report suspected violations through the toll-free hotline 7075.

In the past two months, inspections across tyre, electronics, construction, butcher shops and building materials trades resulted in 67 additional arrests over alleged unreceipted sales, according to the bureau.