Rwanda National Police

On Monday, September 21, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) arrested Samuel Niyontegereje, 36, and Emmanuel Nzayituriki, 26, in Rubavu District in connection with trafficking and distributing narcotic drugs into the country.

They were arrested in Kanzenze sector Kanyirabigogo cell with 10 kilogrammes of cannabis.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that the unwavering partnership of the police and the public is facilitating to identify and arrest major drug traffickers and local distributors.

“A resident had credible information that Niyontegereje is a drug dealer, and called the Police. Indeed, when ANU responded to the information, they caught him with 10kgs of cannabis. Niyontegereje was cooperative and disclosed Nzayituriki as his supplier, and was also traced and arrested," CIP Karekezi said.

Nzayituriki admitted to be Niyontegereje’s supplier adding that he traffics the narcotics from DR Congo through porous borders.

“We already had information that Nzayituriki is a major drug trafficker and smuggles goods from the DR Congo, it was just a matter of time to arrest him red-handed,” CIP Karekezi added.

He advised people who are still involved in drug related crimes to quit the criminal business which amounts to poisoning people especially the young people.

The suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau for further legal steps.

Article 263 of the law nº68/2018 of  30/08/2018 related to offences and penalties in general, states that “Any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence.

Upon conviction, the offender faces between seven years and life in prison and a fine of up to Rwf30 million."