Rwanda National Police

Four suspected drug dealers have been arrested in a police operation Kamonyi District.

Theogene Niyonemera, 27, Hassani Twagirimana, 36, Emmanuel Havugimana, 25, and Ladislas Kanani 50, all residents of Muyange Cell of Kayumbu Sector were arrested on July 14.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kayigi, the Southern region Police spokesperson said that the quartet was at the time found with combined 40 kilograms and 1,065 rolls of cannabis.

"They were arrested in a targetes operation conducted in partnership with member of District Administrative Security Support Organ (DASSO) in Kayumbu said, against identified suspected drug traffickers," CIP Kayigi said.

It is alleged that Niyonemera, after he heard that Police was conducting an operation, he burnt some quantities of cannabis to kill evidence. However, Police seized the remaining 40kgs of the drugs that were seized, before he could burn them.

Niyonemera was arrested as he tried to flee, the spokesperson said.

The four suspects are currently detained at Musambira Police Station.

CIP Kayigi appreciated the existing partnership with the residents and for quick information sharing which led to the arrest of the drug dealers.

The Rwanda National Police community policing strategy against narcotic drugs, conducted in partnership with other government institutions, aims at increasing awareness to kill the local market, strengthening cooperation to identify transit routes and arrest drug dealers, and to ensure that addicts are rehabilitated.