Rwanda National Police

Police at station Kanama revenue protection police set up a check-point on April 20,  along Rubavu-Musanze road after receiving information that smugglers were transporting undeclared merchandise.

The operation led to the seizure 240 pairs of secondhand shoes and 400 pcs of second hand clothes police have said.

According to northern region police spokesperson, revenue protection Unit (RPU), of police continue to stop fraudulent traders to use the route to transport goods without paying taxes hence violating trade and tax laws.
 
“we conduct routine patrols on porous border entry points and inland, we shall not relent until they either stop or pay taxes for growth and development” he warned.

He explained that in most cases smugglers bring substandard products or outlawed merchandise which they know customs cannot clear thus deciding to use underhand methods. 

Police last week seized over 34000 pieces of plastic bags seized in Gakenke District.

Use of plastic bags was prohibited in 2008. From then, several mechanisms including legal provisions against producers, sellers and users of plastic bags, have been adopted.

Most smuggled products are secondhand clothes and shoes, lotions and other beauty products and foods and beverages.

Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also used in Rwanda, specifies a penalty of US$5000 to a driver found driving a vehicle with smuggled goods while the vehicle and goods are auctioned