Rwanda National Police

Three suspected smugglers were on Friday, April 22, intercepted in Kabuga Village, Ruhingo Cell, Gihango Sector in Rutsiro District with three bales of second-hand clothes commonly known as caguwa, which they had sneaked into Rwanda.

Desire Mazimpaka, 45, Sylvestre Bariyanga, 37, and Gerard Havugimana, 30, were intercepted as they transported the bales to Congo-Nil market located in, Gihango Sector, Police said.

Mazimpaka is the alleged rightful owner of the bales of caguwa, which he sneaked into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He had hired Bariyanga and Havugimana to stealthily transport them to Congo-Nil market.

"The arrest of the three suspected smugglers in part of the ongoing Rwanda National Police operations against smuggling and fraud," said Superintendent of Police (SP), Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region.

He added: "The three men were suspects in series of burglaries and smuggling. Their arrest on Friday was a result of investigations and partnership with the public through information sharing." 

SP Karekezi warned against smuggling and illegal cross-border crimes.

The suspects were handed over to RIB at Murunda station for further investigations

In article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, smuggled goods are auctioned.

Tax fraud

A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years.