Rwanda National Police

Police in Rubavu District have arrested a suspected major drug trafficker after he was found in possession of 40 big bundles of cannabis.

The 43-year old suspect was taken into custody on Wednesday, September 25, after Police officers from Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) and Border Security Unit, at Grand Barriere border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

"On Wednesday, September 25, at around 3:30p.m, Police officers reacting on a rip-off, intercepted a Congolese registered at Grand Barriere in Kivu village, Nengo cell, Gisenyi sector that was transporting 40 big bundles of cannabis, and arrested its driver, who is the suspected rightful owner of the narcotics," Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said.

The suspect was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Gisenyi station.

The suspect was at the time crossing into Rwanda from DRC. He had created a secret chamber in his car where the narcotics were concealed, so as to beat security.

Investigations indicate that the suspect, who was on the list of major drug dealers, was enroute to Kigali. 

"We understand he was headed to Kigali to supply one of his clients. Operations are still underway to bring to justice all members of this drug trafficking ring," SP Karekezi said.

He lauded the impact of community policing in identifying and arresting drug dealers, as well as breaking chains of traffickers and local retailers.

Cannabis is classified as a very severe narcotic drug punishable with a sentence of between 20 years and life in prison.