Rwanda National Police

Police in Ngoma District have arrested two individuals, Anselme Uwiragiye and Eric Mugabe, 28 for allegedly trafficking 30 kilograms of cannabis.

The suspects during their arrest were carrying the cannabis on a motorcycle, TVS type of plate number RC 741X.

Police arrested the two in the Gashanda Sector of Ngoma district, on August 24 at half past midnight. One of the suspects, Uwiragiye confessed to trafficking in marijuana. He however claimed that he was taking it to one Theogene Maniraho who lives in Mutenderi Sector, in the same District.

The suspects are currently detained at Kibungo Police Station for further investigations.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Eastern Region Police Spokesperson, said the arrest of the two suspects came after Police got information from residents who suspected them (suspects) to be trafficking cannabis.

CIP Kanamugire cautioned taxi motorcyclists against involvement in the narcotic drugs business, saying that Police has intensified operations against anyone involved in the criminal offence, to ensure that suspects are brought to book.

He appreciated the collaboration of residents with police in crime prevention. Kanamugire however called for more collaboration to prevent not only narcotic drugs but other criminal activities in general

Article 594 of the Penal code stipulates that any person that consumes, injects, inhales, or anoints him/herself with, or makes any other unlawful use of narcotic drugs shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of one to three years and a fine of Frw 50,000 to Frw 500,000.

Any person who unlawfully makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Frw 500,000 to Frw 5 million.

If the acts under the preceding paragraph are committed internationally, the penalties are doubled.