Rwanda National Police

A man identified as Jean Marie Vianney Noheri, 20, was arrested by the Police in Burera District on Wednesday, December 14, with 600 cartons (12000 pieces) of the outlawed non-biodegradable plastic bags.

Noheri was intercepted at about 04a.m. in Nyamabuye Cell of Kagogo Sector after sneaking the polythene bags into Rwanda from Uganda, through a porous border.

The plastic bags were concealed in two sacks, said Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO).

"Noheri is among the ring that was suspected of trafficking plastic bags into the country. On Wednesday, residents called the Police after they saw him at about 04a.m. with two sacks of polythene bags weighing 75kgs," SP Ndayisenga said.

Noheri claimed that he had been hired by a trader, whom he did not disclose, to smuggle the plastic bags into Rwanda from Uganda and that he was supposed to be paid Frw5,000 after delivering them to him.

SP Ndayisenga warned against smuggling and selling plastic bags, which is unlawful and punishable by law.

Use of non-biodegradable polythene bags is by prohibited in Rwanda under law N? 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

Article 3 prohibits manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

In article 10, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Frw700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Frw300, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.