Rwanda National Police

On Wednesday, January 19, Rwanda National Police (RNP) arrested three people in Rulindo District in possession of 1,300 pellets of cannabis.

They include Jean Claude Murwanashyaka,30, and Olivier Bunani, 37, who were arrested in Buhande Village, Gasiza Cell, Bushoki Sector with 1,000 pellets of cannabis. One only identified as Musabyimana was also apprehended in Gatimba Village, Bugaragara Cell, Shyorongi Sector in possession of 300 pellets.

The District Police Commander (DPC) for Rulindo, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Pacifique Semahame Gakwisi said that the suspects were arrested as part of the ongoing Police operations targeting smugglers and drug traffickers.

?Murwanashyaka was at the time transporting the narcotics on a motorcycle ridden by Olivier Bunani, heading to City of Kigali from Musanze District, but Police intercepted them in Buhande, Rulindo District following credible information on their criminal dealings," CIP Semahame said.

He added that Musabyamahoro was at the time traveling in a bus to Kigali from Rubavu District.
 
?Musabyamahoro, who had boarded a bus from Rubavu to Kigali was identified and arrested at a Police checkpoint in Shyorongi Sector. He had concealed 300 rolls of cannabis in his luggage," the DPC said.

Musabyamahoro claimed that he was also hired by another drug dealer in Rubavu District to deliver the narcotics to a client, whom she did not disclose, in Kigali.

Similar targeted and random operations across the country continue to reap big in breaking chains of drug traffickers and local retailers.

CIP Semahame warned against such criminal practices. He further cautioned taxi-moto operators against transporting or facilitating drug dealers.

The suspects and exhibits were handed over to RIB at Bushoki and Shyorongi stations.

Article 263 of law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses 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 for "very severe narcotics," the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million.

Cannabis is listed among very severe drugs in Rwanda.