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Strengthened operations against substandard and harmful products on the Rwandan market continue to reap big results, authorities said yesterday.
According to the final report of the joint operation code-named ‘FAGIA IV/OPSON VIII’ released yesterday, illegal, substandard and harmful as well as counterfeit and expired products valued at over Rwf41 million, were seized from shops and stores across the country.
The two-day operation conducted on February 13th and 14th, was jointly carried out by Rwanda National Police (RNP), Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA), Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (RFDA), Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB), Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and Rwanda Development Board (BRD).
The operation was in line with the implementation of the resolutions of the 16th Eastern Africa Police Cooperation Organisation (EAPCCO) meeting held in Khartoum-Sudan in September last year, Interpol as well as enforcing the local laws.
Among the seized substandard products include soft and alcoholic beverages worth over Rwf12.2 million, prohibited and expired medical drugs in access of Rwf7.2 million, foodstuff valued at Rwf4.7 million, other assorted goods including skin bleaching cosmetics, condoms, plastic bags worth about Rwf17.5 million.
Among the seized alcoholic drinks include Heritage drink produced by Umurage Enterprises Limited based in Musanze District, Umuneza produced by RWABEV Limited of Bugesera District and Buranga Pineapple Wine Produced by COVAFGA located in Gakenke District, which violated standard packaging and alcoholic content standards.
The said companies were found packaging in plastic bottles contrary to the set standards, which provide for only glass bottles for alcoholic drinks.
Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, the RNP spokesperson, said during the press briefing on the status of the operation, that various government agencies have strengthened joint efforts in cities and borderlines to get such harmful products off the shelves and to increase operations against those smuggling them into the country.
“Implementation of policies and laws is a collective responsibility, so we have harnessed these collective efforts to also ensure that offenders are arrested,” CP Kabera said.
The Director General for Criminal Investigations in RIB, Jean Marie Twagirayezu, said: “We are now moving from the grace period of just seizing such dangerous products from the market to prosecuting those involved in trafficking, selling and poisoning Rwandans.”
At least one person was arrested in this operation.
Article 266 of the penal code states that any person who produces, sells or prescribes a drug; harmful products; cosmetics or body hygiene substances; or any other products derived from plants; commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he or she is liable to a term of imprisonment not less than one year and but not more than two years, and a fine of between Rwf3 million and Rwf5 million or one of these penalties.
According to Alex Gisagara, Head of Food and Drugs Inspection and Safety Monitoring Department at RFDA, "no product with skin bleaching ingredient in its composition is allowed in Rwanda."
"For any person to engage in food and drugs business, he or she has to acquire a license, all products either locally made or imported have to be first scientifically approved and we conduct market surveillance to ensure that standards are maintained in stores and shelves," Gisagara said
Fidel Ugirimpuhwe, the Legal Advisor at RSB said they the body has enough capacity to scientifically inspect all products accepted on the Rwandan market.
"In the last 17 years, RSB has built itself as an international accredited entity with enough scientific capacity and manpower to detect standard and substandard products either locally made or imported," Ugirimpuhwe said.
