Rwanda National Police

Separate Police operation conducted in Karongi and Rubavu districts on Thursday seized 16 kilograms and 123 pellets of cannabis. 

Two people connected to the criminal acts were also taken into custody.

One kilogramme and 123 pellets of cannabis were recovered in the house of one Gaudelive Mukangango, 55, located in Burama village, Kagano cell of Mukura sector. Mukangango and her daughter identified as Vestine Nyirarukundo, were arrested in connection with the crime.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson of the Western region said that Mukangango was working with her daughter and the son identified as Alphonse Nshimyimana. 

“A reliable source told the Police that Nshimyimana had brought a new consignment of cannabis and was using his mother’s house as the store,” CIP Karekezi said. 

He added: “We established that Nshimyimana had been supplied by another major drug dealer identified as Kabirigi, who had sneaked the narcotics into the country from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).”

Similar operation was conducted in Rubavu where a sack of cannabis weighing 15kgs was seized.

“The sack of cannabis was abandoned by a suspected drug dealer called Samson Harindintwari, who run away leaving behind his particulars including the Identity Card,” said CIP Karekezi.

He said that law enforcement organs are working together to locate and bring Harindintwari, Nshimyimana and Kabirigi to justice.

Under the penal code, especially in its article 263, major drug dealers face a term of between 20 years and life in prison.