WASHINGTON (Kaab TV) — The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a withhold release order (WRO) against Asli Maydi, a frankincense supplier based in Hargeisa, Somaliland, citing forced labor concerns.
The order, effective immediately, halts the import of frankincense products from Asli Maydi due to evidence of labor exploitation in their production processes, which violate U.S. labor laws under 19 U.S.C. § 1307.
According to its Facebook page, Asli Maydi claims to support local communities by employing residents and partnering with farmers to grow frankincense, compensating them for their labor.
However, CBP’s investigation uncovered evidence of forced labor practices within the company, including deception, physical violence, abusive working conditions, intimidation, and withholding of wages.
This is not the first controversy surrounding Asli Maydi. In 2021, U.S.-based scientist Dr. Anjanette DeCarlo alleged in an interview with Vice News that Barkhad Hassan, the owner of Asli Maydi, raped her during a research trip to Somaliland.
Dr. DeCarlo recounted that she first met Hassan in 2018 when he offered her a research opportunity with his company.
However, she claims she was later coerced into a private room where he assaulted her. Hassan has denied these allegations.
In addition, Asli Maydi has faced accusations from Puntland elders and business leaders, who, in October 2021, claimed that Hassan had stolen substantial quantities of frankincense resin.
Traditional leaders alleged that Hassan’s actions amounted to theft, with the stolen resins reportedly valued in the millions.
“Trading in goods made with forced labor is in direct opposition to American values. When goods are manufactured at the cost of someone’s health, safety, or freedom, we all lose,” said CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller. Executive Assistant Commissioner of the CBP Office of Trade AnnMarie R. Highsmith added, “With this action, we are sending a message to those who continue to disregard basic human rights: your goods are not welcome in the United States.”
This WRO adds to the 52 active orders CBP currently enforces against forced labor products globally, part of an ongoing commitment to combat human rights abuses in the supply chain.