Rwanda National Police

On September 7, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) arrested one Jean Baptiste Tuyisenge, 25, a suspected major drug dealer in Rulindo District.

He was arrested alongside his accomplices in Ntarabana sector, Kinyanzi cell in Kivubwe village, where ANU recovered a cannabis store in his home. 

ANU recovered 2,101 pellets and other 20 kilogrammes of raw cannabis from the house of Tuyisenge.

His accomplices identified as Jérémie Mushumba, 22, and Jean Claude, 25, were caught with 301 pellets of cannabis earlier  according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Isaac Ruzindana, Rulindo District Police Commander.

SP Ruzindana said information on the trio's criminal businesses was got from a resident, who first revealed Mushumba as a drug dealer.

“Police first received credible information that Mushumba was a drug dealer, ANU trailed and arrested him earlier that day alongside Nduwayezu,  

who was allegedly watching over him and his informer.”

The DPC added that when the duo was arrested, they disclosed Tuyisenge to be their supplier.

“Mushumba and Nduwayezi guided Police officers to Tuyisenge’s home, where they recovered his big store of cannabis. At the house, Police also caught one Valens Kuradusenge, 27, whom Tuyisenge had contracted to pack the narcotics into pellets. 

He had already wrapped 2,101 pellets with other 20 kilogrammes yet to be wrapped," SP Ruzindana explained.

Tuyisenge also had a motorcycle, which he uses to transport and distribute the narcotics to his clients.

Meanwhile,Tuyisenge has since admitted that he gets the supplies from Uganda.

The DPC commended the resident, who exercised his community policing rights to unearth and report the suspected criminal ring.

"Drug trafficking and related trade is a serious offence and high impact crime, that's why penalties are punitive," SP Ruzindana said.

The suspects were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).

Article 263 of the law nº68/2018 of  30/08/2018 related to offences 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, the offender faces between seven years and life in prison and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.