Rwanda National Police

Ten people belonging the same coordinated chain of smugglers have been arrested.

The chain involves its ringleader and the owner of the smuggled goods identified as Alexis Nyaminani, his appointed coordinator, Aristide Mashyaka, drivers who transport the goods from one point to another and motorcyclists, who mainly act as spotters in an attempt to beat security. 

Nyaminani's coordinated ring was mainly smuggles second-hand clothes locally known as Caguwa, from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) through porous border points, to the market in Kigali.

The ring came to light early this week after a vehicle loaded with 37 bales of used clothes was intercepted in Kimisagara, Nyarugenge District having made its way to Kigali through the same coordinated communication between the whole chain. 

The suspects, who were arrested separately this week, were paraded to the media this Saturday at Kicukiro Police station.

The owner of the bales and head of the ring, Alexis Nyaminani admitted to the crime.

He said that he employed all the accomplices to help him successfully smuggle mainly second-hand clothes to Kigali.

"The whole chain starts from Goma where people buy the goods, smuggle them into Rwanda and all those involved in the transportation," said Nyaminani.

“I call people in Goma, command the goods and send them money. We coordinate with people to deal with the drivers and other people who help me along the way from Rusizi to Kigali, so that the goods arrive here without being noticed or intercepted. I was successful at first, I was caught on the second attempt,” Nyaminani narrated. 

Nyaminani regrets breaking the law to pursue much money and urged the business people not to put themselves in the same spot he's in now.

"Engaging in this kind of business is very risky, not only for individuals but also for the family and the country generally. Risks related to losing your money spent buying goods and transportation, being worried, stress and imprisonment or heavy fines when caught,” Nyaminani said. 

His coordinator Aristide Mashyaka also admitted that he coordinates everyone in this group to facilitate the smuggling process till the goods reach the final destination.

“We know that smuggling is prohibited in our country, so we engage many people and take precautionary measures to avoid being arrested. I was working for Nyaminani to get the people we need, negotiate payments and ensure they are paid, guide them on the phone till the goods reach to the market,” Mashyaka explained.

Others arrested is the driver called Emmanuel Nzeyimana, who was transporting the 37 bales at the time; Jean Marie Vianney Nshimiyimana and Isai Ndahayo, who were acting as informers riding ahead on a motorcycle.

RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that what the suspects did, combine many crimes including tax evasion and compromising the directives and efforts to curb the spread of Coronavirus. 

“People should not involve themselves in illegal businesses. They put much effort and risk many things including their financial lose and imprisonment," CP Kabera advised.

He added: “Besides, they are putting many lives in danger. The whole world is faced with the pandemic of COVID-19 including where they are getting these goods. The whole smuggling process could be the source of infections from one person to another.

We warn people, who break the law and put lives in danger. Anyone caught will be severely punished... this will and should not be tolerated.”

Under the East African Community Management Act, which is applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.

The vehicle used in fraud and smuggling is also auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5000.