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Rwanda National Police

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BURERA: Police seize 50, 000 pieces of polythene bags

Manufacturing, trafficking, selling and using polythene bags in prohibited in Rwanda and punishable by law.

This is why Rwanda National Police (RNP) in partnership with other relevant institutions and the public actively engage in activities aimed at fighting and preventing these practices, which pose ill-effects to the ecosystem.

The response against these non-biodegradable products combines both public awareness on dangers of plastic bags and operations to enforce the law.

In the lasted operation conducted on Thursday, May 5, in Karangara, Rugarama Sector, Burera District, Rwanda National Police arrested two men, who had sneaked 250 cartons (50,000 pieces) of non-biodegradable nylon plastic bags into Rwanda from Uganda.

They are Jean Baptiste Turahirwa, 38, and Jean Paul Irumva, 18, who were intercepted along Cyanika-Musanze highway.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), said that the suspects were arrested by Police officers, who were in the usual patrol along Musanze-Cyanika road.

"Turahirwa and Irumva were carrying a bag and a sack, walking going to Musanze. Out of suspicion of what they carried, Police officers stopped and searched them only to find that they were transporting cartons of outlawed polythene bags leading to their arrest," SP Ndayisenga explained.

Thee suspects revealed that they got the pollutant products from Uganda through a porous border point and were at the time headed to Karwasa trading center in Gacaca Sector, Musanze District to supply their clients.

The suspects and exhibits were handed over to RIB at Gahunga station for further legal process.

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.

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

In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Frw700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of three hundred thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 300,000) and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.