Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has impounded 19 bales of smuggled second hand clothes and six sacks of shoes in separate operations conducted in Nyaruguru District.

Seven bales were on Wednesday, April 13, found at the home of one Patrice Sindayigaya, 50, located in Rurambo Village, Mbuye Cell, Ngoma Sector. Sindayigaya, who sneaked the bales into Rwanda from Burundi, was also arrested.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that 12 other bales of clothes and six sacks of used clothes were seized from another smuggler identified Oscar Hakizimana, 35, who fled during the operation.

?Police had credible information that Sindayigaya and Hakizimana are smugglers of second hand clothes and shoes. Residents also informed the Police that the two men had brought new consignments from Burundi which prompted the operation, seized of the goods and arrest of Sindayigaya as the search for Hakizimana continues," said SP Kanamugire.

He thanked the residents for reporting smugglers and warned against illegal cross-border.

Sindayigaya was handed over to RIB at Ngera station for further investigation while the smuggled goods were taken to RRA stores.

Article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, smuggled goods 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.