Rwanda National Police

On Friday, July 8, Rwanda National Police (RNP) arrested a man in Nyagatare District identified as Rurangirwa Claver, 30, with 10 bales of second-hand clothes, which he had sneaked into Rwanda from Uganda through a porous border point.

Rurangirwa is one of the three suspected smugglers, who transported the bales of clothes on two motorcycles.

The bales were recovered at Rurangirwa's home in Rwimiyagana Sector, Rwimiyagana Cell in Rwimiyaga ll Village, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region.

"Police is still searching for two other people, who delivered the bales to the home of Rurangirwa on two motorcycles," SP Twizeyimana said. He added that the act of fraud was reported by residents.

"Police officers went to the house of Rurangirwa following information from residents that he had smuggled into Rwanda bales of clothes from Uganda through an illegal border point.

Ten bales were recovered but the two motorcyclists, who transported them had already left but they will be traced and arrested, and motorcycles used in the crime impounded."

Although Rurangirwa claimed that the clothes belong to one whom he only identified as Gad, SP Twizeyimana said that Rurangirwa is also one of the suspected major smugglers of second-hand clothes.

In article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, smuggled goods and automobile used in the fraud, are auctioned.

Tax fraud

A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years.