Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has sternly warned the public against drug dealing and called those involved to renounce the criminal activity or be punished according to the law.

The call follows recent developments in Kirehe District where five people were arrested in possession of 11 kilogrammes of cannabis.  

The suspects who are identified as Agustin Harindintwari, Emmanuel Nsabimana, Thomas Nkurunziza, John siborurema and Veronica Mukaremara, were arrested on December 5, in Gahara Sector in Kirehe during a targeted operation mounted by joint forces.

They are currently detained at Kirehe Police Station.

Inspector of Police (IP), Emmanuel Kayigi, the Eastern Province Spokesperson, appealed to people who may still be harboring   ideas of engaging in drug dealing to desist it, as RNP has devised stringent measures to apprehend those involved and bring them to book.

He also commended the residents who availed credible information that led to arrest of the suspects, saying that cooperation with Police from individuals is always essential in preventing crime activities.

“The partnership with members of general public should send signals to law breakers that drug dealers and other law breakers can never run away from Police. We cannot tolerate acts like these because they have negative consequences on our people, especially the youth,” he noted.

Drug dealing is punishable under article 594 of the Rwandan penal code, which stipulates that, any person who, unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5 million.

The law adds that if the acts under Paragraph 2 of this Article are committed internationally, the penalties shall be doubled.