Rwanda National Police

Police and a community night patrol in Huye District arrested a woman after she was found in possession of 10kgs of cannabis.

The suspect; Celine Umutoniwase, 22, was arrested in Kigarama village of Rango B cell in Tumba sector, where she was apparently distributing the narcotics.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson of the Southern region, said that the community night patrol of Kigarama village, while on their night duty, became suspicious after they found Umutoniwase in front of a house at night, with a sealed envelope.

“When they asked to know what was in the envelope she declined; she didn’t have any particulars. This forced the local patrol to check the envelope only to find that it contained pellets of cannabis. They immediately took her into custody and handed her over to the Police in Tumba,” CIP Twajamahoro explained.

He added: “Law enforcement agencies came to establish that she was delivering the narcotics to another drug dealer identified as Desire Ndizeye, who owns the house from where Umutoniwase was caught. We have also established that Umutoniwase works for another major drug dealer in Huye only identified as Ndizeye.”

Umutoniwase later led Police to the home of Ndayisenga where another consignment of cannabis was recovered to make 10kgs combined.

“Law enforcement organs are working together to located and arrest Ndizeye and Ndizeye, who are still in hide out. The general public has played a great role in fighting drug related crimes and bringing dealers to justice, so we have no doubt that they will also share information on the whereabouts of these two suspected drug dealers.”

“Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances are a serious concern to which security organs as well as the general public must respond decisively and collectively.”

Under the penal code, especially in its article 263, major drug dealers face a term of between 20 years and life in prison. If drug-related acts are performed to a child, the penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rwf50 million.