Rwanda National Police

Four people were arrested Friday, July 8, in separate operations conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP) in Nyabihu and Burera districts for allegedly trafficking and selling outlawed non-biodegradable polythene bags.

They include the couple; Benon Munyaneza, 27, and his wife Godelieve Izabayo, 24, and Aline Mukanoheri, 24, who were arrested in Nyagisenyi Village, Kabyiniro Cell, Cyanika Sector, Burera District with combined 115 cartons (23,000 pieces) of plastic bags.

One Josiane Ntakirutimana, 30, was also arrested in Vunga Village, Mpinga Cell, Shyira Sector in Nyabihu District with 250 cartons (50,000 pieces) of plastic bags.

The Police spokesperson for the Western region, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, said that the Ntakirutimana was apprehended following a tip-off by local residents.

?Police received information from residents in Vunga village that Ntakirutimana was in possession of plastic bags, which she was going to distribute to retailing clients in Vunga trading center. Police responded to the tip-off and the suspect was arrested red-handed with 250 cartons of non-biodegradable plastic bags,? said SP Karekezi.

Ntakirutimana was allegedly supplied by others trafficker in Burera District, who are yet to be arrested, he added.

Meanwhile, the three other dealers were intercepted in Cyanika, Burera District and had concealed the plastic bags under their clothes, according to SP Alex Ndayisenga, the Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) for the Northern region.

?Credible information provided by residents indicated that Munyaneza, his wife Izabayo and Mukanoheri wearing trafficking quantities of outlawed plastic bags.

When Police officers intercepted them, they recovered 50 cartons of plastic bags from Munyaneza, 20 cartons from Izabayo and 45 cartons from Mukanoheri. They had wrapped the plastic bags around their waist and covered with clothes, one of the tricks used to beat security," SP Ndayisenga explained.

The spokespersons thanked residents, who provided information that led to the arrest of the suspects and seizure of the outlawed plastic bags.

All the suspects were handed over to RIB for further investigation.

Manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N? 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.

In article 10, 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 the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Frw700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Frw300,000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.