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Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National Police (RNP) has arrested a woman in Nyarugenge District for allegedly selling outlawed skin whitening creams and oils.
Marie Louise Mujawimana, 49, was arrested Monday, March 28, in Inyarurembo Village, Kiyovu Cell, Nyarugenge Sector with over 2,000 pieces of assorted banned skin bleaching cosmetics worth over Frw1.6 million.
RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera said that the outlawed products were recovered in Mujawimana's store in Kiyovu.
"The RNP Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime, reacting on a tip-off, searched Mujawimana's house in Kiyovu where they recovered over 2000 pieces of assorted skin whitening cosmetics, which are banned in Rwanda, and Mujawimana was also arrested," CP Kabera said.
Mujawimana disclosed that she was buying the harmful creams and oils from street vendors. She said that she has another supplier from Rubavu District, whom she identified as Mukamana Vestine.
CP Kabera said that law enforcement organs are still working together to locate and arrest Mukamana, the alleged supplier.
Article 266 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, states that any person, who produces, sells, or prescribes harmful products; cosmetics or body hygiene substance or any other products derived from plants, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million or one of these penalties.
