Rwanda National Police

The Rwanda National Police (RNP) Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) has arrested three people said to be part of the same chain that traffics and distributes cannabis in different parts of the country.

The group was arrested separately in operations conducted Tuesday in Gasabo, Rubavu and Nyanza districts.

The suspects are identified as Abdoul Karim Kalisa, 47, nicknamed Thierry, Phonique Uwimbabazi, 30, and Vital Twagirayezu, 32. Another member of the ring escaped the arrest, Police said.

Police said the targeted operations were conducted simultaneously in the three districts as a response to information from local residents on the suspects and their location.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that Police had vital information about Vital Twagirayezu’s criminal dealings… trafficking drugs from DR. Congo.

“Twagirayezu is suspected to be one of the suppliers in Rubavu and Nyanza,” CIP Twajamahoro said, adding: “He was arrested in Nyanza District, Busasamana Sector, Kavumu Cell in Mugandamure A Village, where he was supplying cannabis. He was caught with 500 pellets, which he was yet to supply,” CIP Twajamahoro said.

CIP Emmanuel Kayigi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that Phonique Uwimbabazi was intercepted in Rubavu as she crossed into Rwanda from DR Congo through a porous border with 1010 pellets of cannabis.

“Uwimbabazi was with another person who had 10kgs of cannabis, which were abandoned as the suspect escaped back to DRC,” Kayigi added.

Meanwhile, Kalisa was arrested with 466 pellets of cannabis, which he was at the time selling in Kanyinya Village, Ruhango Cell in Gisozi Sector of Gasabo District.

Police said that “these are strengthened and coordinated operations by the Anti-Narcotics Unit and District Police Units, which responds to credible information from Rwandans.

The ideology of community policing is playing a significant role in breaking chains of supply by targeting identified major dealers, knowing the tricks and routes they use in an attempt to beat security.”