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Rwanda National Police

Service - Protection - Integrity

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Nyarugenge: Two drug dealers arrested

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) has arrested two major drug dealers identified as Pontien Rurangirwa and Amiel Sinzukwigena.

The duo was arrested Friday in Nzove Cell, Kanyinya Sector of Nyarugenge District with 10kgs of cannabis.

They were at the time transporting the narcotics on a motorcycle registration number RE 698A, which was also impounded.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali said that the targeted operation was conducted as a response to credible information on their "criminal dealings and their whereabouts."

"A former drug dealer, recently, told the Police about these suspects’ supply chains. This brave act by someone who decided to take the right direction helped ANU to track and intercept Rurangirwa and Sinzukwigena in Kanyinya transporting 10kgs of cannabis," said CIP Umutesi.

She thanked the informer for "taking the right direction and decision to report the colleagues, who vehemently refused to deal in legal business and continued to poison the young generation."

“Due to continuous awareness, some drug dealers have refrained from these criminal acts and decided to support Police and national efforts in breaking supply chains."

CIP Umutesi noted that trafficking and use of narcotic drugs in Rwanda remain a major concern affecting various sectors of development like security, youth development, education and health, among others.

“Combating the vice of narcotic drugs is by law, therefore, a national policy and everyone’s responsibility,” she said.

“We are focusing on working with the community to stop the dealing and consumption of drugs. We encourage people to report when they see suspicious people, who may be involved in drug trafficking and abuse,” she reiterated.

The penal code, in its article 263, provides punitive penalties in relation to drug related crimes

Any person who, in any way, eats, drinks, injects himself/herself, inhales or one who anoints oneself with psychotropic substances, commits an offence, with an imprisonment ranging between one and two years, or subject to a penalty of community service.   

Any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence. Upon conviction, he/she is liable to between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine between Rwf15 million and Rwf30 million.