English
Kinyarwanda
A suspected drug dealer identified as Jean Maniraguha, 32, has been arrested in Rubavu Sector, Rubavu District with 15kgs of cannabis.
Maniraguha was arrested last Friday in Murambi village of Byahi cell by members of security organs on patrol.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonavanture Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that Maniraguha had just sneaked the narcotics into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
"He was at the time going to supply another local retailer, when he was arrested," CIP Karekezi said.
Accordingly to Maniraguha, he alleges that he was called by someone in Rubavu, who promised to offer him a job.
"I was paid upfront to transport the narcotics from one point to another in Rubavu. I was given instructions to just leave the consignment on another point and leave; the owner would pick it from there, but I was arrested before reaching the destination," said Maniraguha.
He explained that while on the way to deliver the drugs, he realised that he was being trailed by a man, who run away after being arrested, but suspects that he was the owner of the drugs.
According to CIP Karekezi, this is one of the tricks used by drug dealers with people involved in the whole trafficking chain sometimes not knowing each other but operating on phones.
"In most cases, major drug dealers use the young people, whom they easily influence with money. But community policing campaigns and education programmes on dangers of abusing drugs are playing an important role in influencing positive actions and information sharing on suppliers and retailers," CIP Karekezi said.
Anyone convicted for "severe drugs" faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of up to Rwf30 million as stipulated under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in Rwanda.
