English
Kinyarwanda
Anastase Habamenshi, a 28 year old commercial motorcycle operator in Kigali, could have succeeded by hiding behind this profession to conduct other illegal businesses.
However his luck run out on January 19, when his colleagues apprehended and handed him over to Police when they caught him trafficking cannabis.
Habamenshi was apprehended by motorcyclists in Muhoza Sector, Musanze District, en route to Kigali with 30 kilogrammes of cannabis.
The motorists said they became suspicious when they saw Habamenshi passing carrying a sack on his motorcycle, and they pursued him, searched the sack only to find that it was full of the narcotic drugs.
They then caught and handed him to Police. He is currently detained at Muhoza Police Station as further investigations continue.
Police Spokesperson for the Northern Province, Chief Inspector Andre Hakizimana, commended the motorcyclists for safeguarding their profession and embracing the community policing idea of collective security.
“Through this act, motorcyclists have shown the benefits of community policing and how individuals can ensure security by working with Police to turn back crime. The public should continue this practice by providing timely information in case they suspect or have evidence against crime,” CIP Hakizimana said.
Police has been warning motorcyclists against facilitating criminal acts including helping drug traffickers or involving in criminal activities, with a number of them ending up arrested.
According to article 594 of the penal code, any person who, unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5 million.
