English
Kinyarwanda
Eighteen people have been arrested in Rubavu and Ngoma districts in a Police operation targeting mineral smugglers and illegal miners.
Ten of the suspects were apprehended in Rubavu District where the Revenue Protection Department (RPD) intercepted a vehicle, Fuso type, carrying about seven tons of coltan.
The suspects, who were apprehended on Sunday at about 8:00pm, were apparently loading the mineral on the truck.
They are currently detained at Gisenyi Police Station as investigations continue.
Other eight people, who were arrested in Ngoma are currently held at Kibungo Police Station. They were also arrested while mining wolfram illegally in Nyamagana cell, Remera sector.
They were also found in possession of 500 grammes of wolfram at the time of their arrest.
Supt. Hamza Vita, the Western Region Police Spokesperson, said “Mining without legal authorization is contrary and punishable by the law. People should therefore note that anyone caught in this activity will be dealt with according to the law.”
He added: “We have built a strong Police-Public network to fight such illegal acts, and anyone involved either in illegal mining or mineral smuggling, will in one way or another be caught.”
Illegal mining is punishable under article 438 of the penal code, which attracts a jail term of one year in prison and a fine of Rwf3 million to Rwf 10 million, if convicted.
