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Rwanda National Police

Service - Protection - Integrity

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Environmental protection: Over 62,000 pieces of polythene bags seized

Police in Kayonza and Burera districts seized 314 cartons (62,800 pieces) of banned non-biodegradable plastic bags, on Thursday.

The polythene bags were impounded at Police checkpoints from five traffickers, who had sneaked them into the country.

In Kayonza, vehicle plate number RAC 983X was intercepted in Cyinzovu Cell of Kabarondo sector with 300 cartons (60,000 pieces) of the outlawed non-biodegradable plastic bags.

Two people on board; Azarias Kamanayo (driver) and Vianney Rubaduka were taken into custody.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said the vehicle was stopped at the Police checkpoint in Kabarondo for normal security checks.

“Police officers were conducting their regular duties when they stopped the car that was driven by Kamanayo with Rubaduka on board. When they checked in the car boot they recovered 300 cartons of plastic bags, which they said were trafficked from Uganda,” CIP Twizeyimana explained.

In a similar operation in Burera district, three women were arrested at a Police checkpoint in Gahunga sector with 14 cartons (2800 pieces) of plastic bags sneaked into the country from Uganda through an illegal border in Burera.

The trio, who was at the time traveling in a public vehicle, are identified as Denise Umufasha, Clementine Dusingizimana and Alphonsine Mukambonera.

The acting spokesperson for the Northern region, CIP Eugene Niyonzima, said that the three women had concealed the polythene bags in their luggage.

Police warned against dealing in outlawed products which is punishable by law.

Manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.

Under article 10, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items, is liable to dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times of the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.