Rwanda National Police

Police in Rusizi District have arrested two men, who were found trafficking over 200, 000 rolls of cannabis.

The pellets were had been concealed in gas cylinder, Police spokesperson for the Western region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira, said.

He identified the suspects as Simon Rurangirwa and Leodomir Seminega.

"They were arrested in Kamembe sector shortly after crossing into Rwanda through Rusizi bordet post," CIP Gasasira said.

"At about 5:30pm, Rurangirwa and Seminega closed the border with a vehicle RAB 609L, Fuso type loaded with 16 gas cylinders, but we had information about their criminal dealings," the spokesperson said.

"They were stopped shortly after crossing the border, cylinders opened and indeed police officers found each of them loaded with 17,435 pellets of cannabis; they were immediately taken into custody and the vehicle impounded," he added.

"We know the tricks and we have the people to thank for such successful operations. This and many other foiled tricks should serve as a warning to whoever is in solved in such criminal dealings will be arrested," he warned.

In a related development, Police in Musanze District on the same day also destroyed illicit gin valued at over Rwf4 million. 

The successful operations comes at the time when Rwanda National Police is engaged in countryside sensitisation campaign against drugs.

The awareness is part of the ongoing Police Week to mark the force's 18th anniversary, with the first week focusing on drugs.