Rwanda National Police

On April 8, Rwanda National Police (RNP) arrested three suspected drug traffickers in separate operations conducted in Gicumbi and Nyamasheke districts.

The suspects include one Emmanuel Nzayisenga, 25, who was arrested red-handed in Murambo, Miyove Cell of Miyove Sector, Gicumbi District with 28kgs of cannabis.

Two others; Bizibu Cyiza, 40, and Jeannette Mukabutera, 48, were arrested in Kigarama Village, Kigabiro Cell of Nyabitekeri Sector in Nyamasheke District with 1,073 pellets of cannabis.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Jean Bosco Minani, the District Police Commander for Gicumbi, said Nzayisenga was arrested in partnership with other security organs and local leaders.

"On Wednesday, at around 11pm, while security organs were conducting a night patrol, they stopped two people, who were traveling on a motorcycle plate number RD 689A and carrying two bundles. One of them who was later identified as Mukiza got off the motorcycle and run away but Nzayisenga was apprehended.

When security organs checked, they realized the two bundles contained pellets of cannabis weighing 28kgs," SP Minani said. 

Nzayisenga, the DPC added, also had pellets of cannabis wrapped around his thighs and covered with a trouser.

Upon his arrest, Nzayisenga, who hails from Rukozo Sector in Rulindo District, disclosed that he left to Uganda on April 4, through a porous border to bring a new consignment of narcotics.

He further narrated that he was making one trip to Uganda every week to bring the narcotics.

According to Nzayisenga, he had other people in Rulindo, who were facilitating him in distribution.

In Nyamasheke District, Cyiza and Mukabutera were arrested on the shores of Lake Kivu with the 1,073 pellets of cannabis.

Cyaza had just delivered the narcotics to Mukabutera after sneaking them across into Rwanda from DRC, by boat through Lake Kivu.

Police had acted on credible information that Mukabutera would meet her supplier Cyiza on the shores, before trailing her and arresting them red handed.

Article 3 of the Ministerial order nº 001/MoHo/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation, classifies cannabis among the "very severe narcotics."

Article 263 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, provides a sentence of between 20 years and life in prison for anyone convicted of dealing in "very severe narcotic drugs" and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million.