Rwanda National Police

A boat loaded with 36 bales of smuggled used clothes was intercepted on February 12 in Lake Kivu.

According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, the goods were being smuggled by six men, who were also taken into custody.

“The Police Marine unit has been engaged in awareness against unlawful activities in water bodies and in Lake Kivu in particular, the campaign targeted mainly fishermen and those engaged in water transport,” CIP Gasasira said.

“As a result, on Tuesday at about 3am, fishermen called security organs reporting a boat from DR. Congo that was headed to Nyamasheke; marine unit responded and intercepted the boat in Gihombo Sector, Kibingo Cell loaded with 36 bales of clothes and took into custody the six people that were on board at the time,” he added.

Smuggling of used clothes and shoes faced an upward trend following the increase of taxes to US$4 per kilogramme.

In November last year, a marine unit in Rutsiro District intercepted at least 369 bales of second-hand clothes and shoes that were also being smuggled into the country through Lake Kivu.

At least 33 cases of smuggling of used clothes and shoes were recorded in Lake Kivu last year.

Meanwhile, a Fuso truck was also intercepted in downtown Nyabugogo, Nyarugenge District with four bales of smuggled secondhand clothes.

The bales had been covered with bags of vegetables. The vehicle and the goods were also impounded. By law, the driver faces a penalty of US$5000 while the vehicle and goods are auctioned.