Rwanda National Police

Five people have been arrested in separate operations in connection with trafficking and distributing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. They were arrested in operations conducted in Nyagatare and Rubavu districts on Tuesday.

At least four of the drug dealers were arrested in Nyagatare. Two of them identified as Emmanuel Musabyimana, 33, and Cudday Nsengiyumva, 37, were at the time found in possession of 4kgs of cannabis, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said.

“Musabyimana and Nsengiyumva were at the time trafficking the narcotics on the motorcycle plate number RE 683N before they were intercepted in Rwimiyaga Sector, Kabeza cell. The motorcycle was also impounded.

Two others; Bosco Nsengiyaremye, 24, and Jean Claude Nshimiyimana, 25, said to be major dealers in Kanyanga, which they sneak into the country from Uganda, through illegal border points, were arrested in Rwimiyaga cell of Rwimiyaga Sector,” CIP Twizeyimana said.

Nsengiyaremye and Nshimiyimana were recently named by other arrested dealers in the crude gin banned and classified in Rwanda as a psychotropic substance, as their supplier, and were in hiding.

Meanwhile, the same day, Police in Rubavu District arrested one Providence Nyirankomeje, 22, in possession of 466 pellets of cannabis. The pellets were concealed in her bag.

Article 263 of Rwanda penal code stipulates that any person who, unlawfully, produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offense, with a sentence upon conviction, ranging between seven years and life in prison, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.