Rwanda National Police

Counterfeit and illicit goods including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and alcoholic drinks valued at over Rwf14.5 million have been seized in Rwanda in an ongoing Interpol-backed regional operation.

The operation code named ‘FAGIA Operation’ conducted between December 1 and 3, was conducted and results released concurrently, on December 8, in eleven regional countries organised under the umbrella ‘Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation.’

Three people were arrested in connection with varied crimes, during the operation.

It was conducted by Rwanda National Police in the City of Kigali in partnership with the ministries of Health and Commerce, Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), Private Sector Federation (PSF) and brand owners.

The operation was coordinated at part of the Interpol’s ‘Turn Back Crime’ campaign which aims to raise public awareness of how crimes can affect people’s daily lives, from potentially life-threatening poor quality counterfeit products, to funding organized crime through buying fake goods.

Among those intercepted are 170 print cartridges, all fake, 1632 bottles of a locally made alcoholic drink called Agashinguracumu using the East African Breweries package and 98 boxes of Vin de Tangawizi, a locally made illicit drink brewed by Umurage Enterprises.

The Rwanda Standards Board had issued a directive closing Umurage Enterprises based in Musanze district but the company continued its illegal operations. At the time of the operation, Umurage Enterprises was also found in possession of a forged authorization permit indicating that it was issued by the Ministry of Health.

Also seized are expired, banned or substandard mosquito nets and other medical drugs, and Lumartem, malaria tablets branded as “not for sale” in Uganda but smuggled into Rwanda.

This is the second successful operation of its kind following the first one code-named “Wipe-out “conducted in June this year where 500 print cartridges, 15 sharp television sets, vim, washing powder and other Uniliver products, 30 boxes of baygon, insect-side, 30 cartons of royco, food flavor, nido, a powdered milk and forged Nike, sharp and lacoste products like shoes and T-shirts, were seized.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Tony Kuramba, Commissioner for Interpol said the operation will continue to other parts of the country.

“It is not the first times neither the last time are we conducting these operations. Consumers should be aware that out there, we have counterfeited products…very dangerous products including medical products that may affect their health,” ACP Kuramba said.

“There are goods like construction materials and electrical equipment that are forged which pose danger to people’s safety; these at times lead to fire outbreaks or collapsing of buildings in which human lives are lost. People should beware that we have counterfeit products that are dangerous to their health, public safety and our economy,” he added.

He called upon the public to be vigilant and join the campaign against such harmful products by providing timely information of those involved.