Rwanda National Police

Maombi Bahati, 40, a Congolese national could have previously succeeded to smuggle minerals into the country, but his luck run out on January 23, when a trick he probably used was unearthed.

On Thursday, as Bahati crossed into Rwanda from the DR Congo through Goma border post in Rubavu (la corniche), the Congolese registered vehicle CGO 2885AF/19, which he was driving was subjected to checks as usual.

"When the Police officer, who was searching the vehicle, opened its bonnet he uncovered consignments stashed next to the car engine," Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the police spokesperson for the Western region, said.

He added: "When they checked, they found that the sacks contained white coltan, which weighed 155kgs. Bahati was immediately arrested."

CIP Karekezi said that there was information that Bahati is hired by smugglers to sneak their valuables into the country.

"This time, he had been hired to smuggle the minerals from Goma in DRC to Kigali, where he would meet his boss, who is also said to be an illegal mineral dealer."

"Stashing the minerals in the car bonnet in such a big quantity... this is a new trick but also usual, all these fraud tactics are unearthed due to strong partnership with the public, who provide credible information," said CIP Karekezi.

Article 54 of the law on mining and quarry operations, states that “any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a license commits an offense."

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.