Rwanda National Police

A man suspected of being part of the group that traffics the outlawed skin bleaching cosmetics into the country, was arrested by the Police in City of Kigali on Friday, May 5.

The 38-year old suspect was found in possession of 1234 pieces of assorted skin whitening products commonly known as Mukorogo.

The operation was conducted by the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime ASOC department.

The seized illicit cosmetics include L Perlay care, Beauty, Paw paw, Caro light and Extra Claire.

These are listed among 1,342 cream and oil brands with hydroquinone and mercury, which are prohibited in Rwanda.

"Based on credible information, the ASOC officers searched a house located in Nyarugenge District, Nyarugenge Sector in Rwampara Cell, Ntwari Village, said to be used by the suspect as store for the harmful skin bleaching cosmetics, where 1234 pieces were recovered, leading to his immediate arrest," Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, the RNP spokesperson, said.

The suspect is a recidivist. In February last year, Nyamirambo Primary court handed him a one-year suspended sentence for the same crime.

CP Kabera said that there are still ongoing investigations to break the whole ring.

"There are other people involved in this trafficking, including one individual, still at large, who sneaks the skin bleaching cosmetics into Rwanda from Goma in DRC, through Rubavu District and transports them using a Congolese registered vehicle, to deliver them to dealers in Kigali," CP Kabera explained.

Article 266 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, states that any person, who produces, sells, or prescribes harmful products; cosmetics or body hygiene substance or any other products derived from plants, commits an offence.  

Upon conviction, he/she is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years and a fine of not less than Frw3 million and not more than Frw5 million or one of these penalties.