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Kinyarwanda
Police at Kigali International Airport has intercepted a woman with one kilogramme of cocaine valued at about Rwf45 million.
Ddungu Hasifa, 47, a Ugandan born British national was arrested last Saturday at about 7:00pm en route to Entebbe from Bujumbura.
Assistant Commissioner of Police Theos Bagede, Commissioner for Criminal Investigation Department (CID) said Ddungu had wrapped two packs of cocaine around her body.
“Ddungu was detected by Police at the airport and was taken to a private room where she was checked by female officers, who found two packs containing cocaine wrapped around her thighs,” ACP Badege said.
“In line with the local and international laws and cooperation with other Police forces, we have already notified our counterparts in Kampala, Bujumbura and London to also support each other to arrest all those connected to this ring,” he added.
“Ddungu committed the crime on the Rwandan territory and according to the law she will be tried in Rwanda. We have already completed her case file and will be handed to prosecution tomorrow [Tuesday],” he noted.
Under article 594 of the Rwandan Penal Code, 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.
However, if the crime is committed internationally, penalties are doubled.
“This is an international and organized criminal ring and they have many ways to try to bail themselves out in case they are caught including bribery. Ddungu also tried to bribe the officers but they acted professionally and refused her illegal attempts,” ACP Badege explained.
“Our country is neither a home nor a transit for drug traffickers and other criminals like trafficking in persons. Whoever dares to try it will be arrested and charged according to the law,” he warned.
He urged travelers and the public in general to report any suspicious people and luggage in time.
