Rwanda National Police

Police in Rubavu District have seized three bales of cannabis and pellets of the narcotic drug stashed in three fire extinguisher cylinders.

The narcotics were seized on Thursday, September 10, from two suspected trafficker in Nengo Village of Gisenyi Cell in Gisenyi Sector. 

Law enforcement organs are still searching for the two male suspected traffickers, who managed to flee during the operation.

The credible information on the two suspected major drug dealers, according to the Police spokesperson for the Western region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, was shared by community policing partners.

“A resident called and told us that some narcotic drugs would be sneaked into the country from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), by boat through Lake Kivu," CIP Karekezi said.

He added: "The resident kept us informed on their movements until they reached on the shores. Unfortunately, when they saw a patrol car, they dropped the consignments of narcotics, entered the bridge and fled back into the waters towards the same direction."

"Using fire extinguishers to traffic narcotics is unusual, although it is known that drug traffickers always try to find new methods and apply unusual techniques to transport their narcotics.

They had emptied fire extinguishing powder from the cylinders and stashed them with cannabis. If this trick was unknown or without the commendable role of the public, drug traffickers would even transport hundreds of them without anyone’s knowledge,” CIP Karekezi further explained.

Other tricks used by drug traffickers that have been unearthed include stashing them in pumpkins and other foodstuff, tyres, women veils, wrapping them around the body or wearing them inside clothes and using private transport means with spotters riding ahead on a motorcycle to inform them of the whereabouts of security personnel.

“We thank the public, who facilitate in identifying and arresting dealers and the tricks used by traffickers. With this strong community policing partnership, drug dealers can be sure that whatever technique they use, the citizens will not tolerate them to intoxicate their children.”

CIP Karenzi urged parents to monitor their children adding that drug dealers target mainly the young people as their market.

He also advised those still involved in narcotics related business--buying, using, supplying and producing--to quit the criminal acts of poisoning other people adding that "legal implications are several."

Under article 263 of the law nº68/2018 of  30/08/2018 relating to offences and penalties in general, any person convicted as a dealer in severe drugs faces between 20 years and life in prison, and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.