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Kinyarwanda
Three people have been arrested in Burera District with over 20kgs of banned polythene bags.
Police said that the trio was intercepted in Kagogo sector, Kayenzi cell in Kabashotsi village with consignments of the banned non-biodegradable bags after sneaking them into the country from Uganda through a porous border.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, identified the suspects as Esther Muhawenimana, 31, Yvonne Niyonsaba, 29, and Emmanuel Bikorimana, 18.
“Police in Burera had earlier received information about people entering the country through an illegal border posts with consignments of smuggled goods,” CIP Rugigana said.
“During the operation, Police intercepted the three suspects with cartons of polythene bags weighing 20kgs. They had hired minors to carry the illegal products,” he added.
While thanking those who provided information on the unlawful acts, he warned against engaging minors in criminal activities, which is also illegal itself.
Under article 10 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 states that 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 of the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.
In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.
