English
Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National Police will endeavor to contribute to public safety and security for the citizens and residents of Rwanda and beyond, especially combating counterfeit products and illicit pharmaceuticals.
Assistant Commissioner of Police, Tony Kuramba, the Commissioner for Interpol in RNP made the remarks on February 6 at the closure of the two-day workshop held at the force’s headquarters in Kacyiru.
The workshop facilitated by experts from the international police organization – Interpol – aimed at laying measures and guidelines for the establishment of the ‘Anti-Counterfeit Products and Illicit Pharmaceuticals’ unit in RNP, under the department of Interpol.
“We will cement the idea of cooperation with other Police forces to make the region and the world a safer place to live in,” ACP Kuramba said.
He noted that RNP is committed to the establishment of this unit, make it better and much stronger. He thanked trainers and Interpol in general for the support.
Col. Bruno Manin, one of the trainers thanked RNP for the “perfect organization” of the workshop.
“I was very surprised and pleased to see different agencies working together for the same cause of safety. This will of common understanding and response is efficient and example in responding the crime incidences,” said Col. Manin.
The plan to establish this specific unit in RNP stems from the realization that the menace of counterfeit medicines and other goods presents a serious and increasing threat to patient safety and public health if they go unchecked.
25 personnel including 10 civilians took part in the exercise.
Since 2008, RNP participated in Interpol led operations dubbed Mamba (2008), Wipe Out (June 2014) and Opson-Fagia (December) in which counterfeit and illegal pharmaceuticals were seized.
