Rwanda National Police

Police in Rusizi District have arrested Olive Uwimana in connection with drugs trafficking. The suspect was apprehended on April 8 while transporting 400 pellets of cannabis wrapped inside in her clothes. 

It is suspected that she had acquired the drugs from the neighbouring country and used a porous border to enter Rwanda. She is currently detained at Kiyumu police station.

Reacting to the incident, the Western Province Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Innocent Gasasira said that her arrest was due to information that had been provided by members of the public.

“We have no doubt that the timely information given by the publics won’t put drug dealers in an easier way to continue their illegal trade. Drug dealers should understand that there is no way RNP will tolerate such acts, our advice is to refrain from such criminal acts before they are arrested” he added

CIP Gasasira added that; “The public have embraced the concept of community policing that helps crime detection and prevention. We strongly fight against drug abuse as means of reducing crimes….Drug consumption can go as far as affecting families, communities and the country, this is the reason we should jointly fight trade and use of these substances. To overcome this issue, dealers must be brought to justice.”

“Rwanda National Police (RNP) encourages the wider role with the general public to reduce the impact of this issue in communities by constantly providing timely information about drug dealers” Gasasira said.

Under article 594 of the penal code, any person, who unlawfully makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs within the country, is liable to a sentence of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5 million.