Rwanda National Police

Police in Rutsiro District arrested a woman, on Sunday, said to be a major dealer in narcotic drugs.

Marceline Nyiranzabahimana, 56, was arrested in Boneza Sector, Remera Cell, Rusororo Village with 488 rolls of cannabis.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson of the Western region, said that Police first arrested one Jackson Mutuyimana with two pellets of cannabis.

"Mutuyimana was cooperative and identified Nyiranzabahimana as his boss. Mutuyimana was her retailer," CIP Karekezi said.

He added: "The information provided by Mutuyimana on Nyiranzabahimana followed previous information from local residents in Rusororo Village, who had reported her to Police as one of the major drug dealers in the area. Indeed, when law enforcement officers searched her house, they recovered the 488 pellets of cannabis. She was immediately taken into custody afterwards."

The narcotics, which were concealed in banned polythene bags, were recovered in the ceiling of her house.

It is said that besides being a drug dealer, Nyiranzabahimana was also using minors to sell cannabis to fishermen consumers at Bugarura Island.

The suspect was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Ruhango station in Rutsiro District.

CIP Karekezi thanked the residents for the credible information and urged them to continue being central to their own security by reporting any suspected wrongdoers.

Under the new penal code, especially in its article 263, major drug dealers face a term of between 20 years and life in prison.

If drug related acts are performed to a child, the penalty is a life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rwf50 million.