Rwanda National Police

Ongoing operations to break illicit drugs’ supply chains impounded a vehicle and a motorcycle on Sunday after they were intercepted trafficking about 400 kilogrammes of cannabis.

The vehicle, Toyota Carina registration number RAD 252G was intercepted in Mukamira Sector along Rubavu-Nyabihu highway transporting 320kgs of cannabis.

“There was information that a vehicle was headed to Nyabihu from Rubavu loaded with sacks of cannabis,” Inspector of Police (IP) Eulade Gakwaya, Police spokesperson for the Western region, said.

“A targeted snap-check was mounted in Gisenyi, but the traffickers ran-off when they saw the police; a communication was relayed and the vehicle was intercepted in Mukamira in Nyabihu District at about 9pm on Sunday. The vehicle and the exhibit were impounded to Mukamira Police station,” he added.

“The motorcycle – based on the information from residents – was intercepted in Kibuga Village in Mbugangali of Gisenyi sector in Rubavu, transporting 80kgs of cannabis. It was impounded to Gisenyi Police station,” Gakwaya said.

“Unfortunately, in both cases the suspects escaped; good enough – based on reliable information from the public – we have identified the traffickers, and the Police is searching for them to face justice,” he explained.

The narcotics were being trafficked from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Police said.

Article 594 of the Rwandan penal code, stipulates that any person who, unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500,000 to Rwf5 million.

Rubavu in the Western region and Kirehe in the Eastern region, are marked as one of the major routes for cannabis traffickers.

“Rwanda National Police (RNP) has taken strides in combating the problem including operations and strengthened partnership with the public through awareness and real information sharing on the dealers,” Gakwaya said.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has taken partnership strides with neighboring countries including DR. Cong and Tanzania, to fight against drug trafficking and cross-border in general.

Early this month, Rwanda and Tanzanian police forces launched joint operation against cross-border crimes especially drug trafficking, where the two forces started operations in River Kagera and destruction of cannabis farms.