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A man suspected of conducting an illegal mineral business has been arrested in Nyagatare District.
Police said that Richard Ndengeyinka was taken into custody mid this week was found with 100 kilogrammes of cassetirite.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Eastern region Police spokesperson, said that the suspect was on the list of illegal dealers in minerals.
It is alleged that Ndengeyinka had received about Rwf800, 000 from one Vestine Mukandanga, a mineral trade with a promise to supply her with legal minerals.
“The suspect is not licensed to conduct a mineral business, and the minerals were also not tagged as another condition before they are transported from one place to another only by a licensed trader," the spokesperson explained.
“People should understand that minerals is a regulated business conducted only by authorised traders, who also must follow the set mining and transportation standards; beyond that it becomes a crime punishable by law,” he said.
Article 438 of the penal code, stipulates that; “Any person who undertakes illegal research or illegally carries out commercial activities in valuable minerals, shall be liable to imprisonment of six months to one year and a fine of up to Rwf10 million.”
CIP Kanamugire thanked the residents, who provided information that led to the arrest of the suspect, and called for continued partnership and information sharing on any illegal and criminal activities.
