Rwanda National Police

Police in Gisagara District have seized about 20 cartons (4, 000 pieces) of banned non biodegradable plastic bags from a trafficker.

The polythene bags were seized in a police operation in Nyanza Sector, Nyaruteja Cell on Sunday following the tip-off from residents, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the police spokesperson for the Southern region, said.

The plastic bags, CIP Twajamahoro said, were seized from one Emmanuel Bukuru, 21, who had trafficked them into the country through the porous border.

“A resident in Gisagara called and informed the Police that Bukuru has sneaked plastic bags into the country and intend to transport and sell them in Huye District. Police intercepted him before leaving his home in Gisagara, and recovered from him the 20 cartons of plastic bags,” he said. 

CIP Twajamahoro thanked the resident, who reported the unlawful act.

“The fact that people are reporting such acts is an indication that they now understand the effects of plastic bags to the environment and playing their vital role to fight the sell and use of the non-biodegradable products," the spokesperson said.

CIP Twajamahoro further called upon the general public not to package or buy goods packed in plastic bags. 

“Use the approved environmental friendly and hygienic packaging bags instead of indulging in such criminal acts,” he advised. 

Under article 10 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 states that any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items, is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times of the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.