Rwanda National Police

Strengthened operations to break chains of drug trafficking rings led to the arrest of seven suspects in separate operations conducted since Monday in different parts of the country.

The suspects were at the time of their arrest found in possession of varied quantities of cannabis.

One of the suspects identified as Akimpaye Delphine, 39, was arrested red-handed in Kagano Cell of Kitabi sector in Nyamagabe District with 10kgs of cannabis.

Chief Inspector Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that Akimpaye was traveling in a public bus when it was stopped and identified at a checkpoint mounted in Kitabi.

“There was information from residents and local leaders in Rusizi about a drug trafficker, who had boarded a public bus with a consignment of narcotics, headed to Kigali,” CIP Twajamahoro said.

“Indeed, when the bus was stopped and the suspect identified, Police officers found 10kgs stashed in Akimpaye’s luggage. She first denied ownership of the luggage but passengers pinned her,” he added.

Two other traffickers; Emmanuel Dushimimana, 32, and Enock Uwihoreye, 34, were intercepted by Police and DASSO personnel in Ruyonza Village, Nonko Cell of Nyarugunga Sector in Kicukiro District transporting cannabis on a motorcycle.
 
Uwihoreye is a commercial motorcyclist, who transports drug dealers or their narcotics. The motorcycle on RE 640P, which they were traveling on, was also impounded to Nyarugunga Police station where the suspects are also detained.

Other two suspects were intercepted at Rusizi border II from DR Congo with cannabis, while Diane Itangishaka was arrested in Musanze District delivering narcotics to a retailer identified as Valence Hagumimana, in Cyabagarura Cell. Hagumimana was also arrested.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has taken stringent measures in combating drugs, including special operations and strengthened partnership with the public through awareness and information sharing on the dealers as part of community policing.

The response also involves mapping major transit routes and breaking chains of supply.