Rwanda National Police

Commercial motorcyclists have been reminded to desist from participating and aiding illegal and criminal activities such as drug trafficking and smuggling.

The call follows recent incidents in which at least ten commercial motorcyclists have been arrested across the country in the last one month in connection with trafficking cannabis and banned gin like Kanyanga and Chief Waragi.

 On March 25, Police in Kirehe District arrested a commercial motorcyclist in Kigina Sector, in possession of 8 kilograms of cannabis believed to have been smuggled across the border.

 “The suspect had been hired by a drug dealer to transport cannabis to an agreed destination, but he was intercepted along the way after we received credible information from a resident in Kirehe,” Inspector of Police, Emmanuel Kayigi, Police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, said.

 At least 74 percent of cannabis trafficked into the country pass through Kirehe, according to Police reports.

 IP Kayigi noted that there have been similar scenarios in different parts of the Eastern Province where motorcyclists have been arrested for either trafficking and smuggling or facilitating other people involved in the two illegal business areas.

 “Police will continue the awareness, but also arresting all those involved in breaking the law and make, sell or consume drugs, which contribute to other criminal activities and undermine security in communities.”

 “Investigations show that many commercial motorcyclists along border towns help drug traffickers or smugglers to sneak these illegal substances into the country, although in some cases we find that some motorcyclists are indeed the owners of the seized narcotics. Some of them hide behind the commercial motorcycle business to have turned this into some sort of business without thinking about the repercussions it has on our society,” IP Kayigi said.

 He called on commercial motorcyclists to fight against drugs and report colleagues who try to tarnish the image of their profession.

 He also commended residents who provide information that aids police in investigations that lead to the arrest of drugs smugglers and other criminals.

 Under article 594 of the penal code, any person who, unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country faces a prison sentence of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 and Rwf5 million.

 RNP conducts continuous countrywide campaigns to fight and prevent the manufacture, trade and consumption of illicit drugs and narcotics.