Rwanda National Police

Three suspected smugglers have been arrested in Rusizi and Rubavu districts with 25 bales of second-hand clothes commonly known as caguwa.

At least 14 bales were intercepted on Friday, June 24, from a smuggler identified as Fiacre Nsabimana, 42, who was arrested in Kadasomwa Village, Cyangugu Cell, Kamembe Sector of Rusizi District.

Other 11 bales were seized on June 25, from the duo of Augustin Ntirugirimbabazi, 41, and Niyonsenga, 27, who were also arrested in Mutembe Village, Burushya Cell, Nyamyumba Sector in Rubavu District.

The clothes were allegedly smuggled into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region.

The alleged smuggling and fraud, he added, was reported by local residents.

?The bales seized in Rubavu were sneaked into Rwanda from DRC through Lake Kivu. Ntirugirimbabazi and Niyonsenga picked the bales from the shores to the former's house, where they were recovered and the two suspects arrested," SP Karekezi said.

"Ntirugirimbabazi and Niyonsenga claimed that they were hired by another man, the alleged rightful owner, who lives in Rubavu. The search for the alleged owner is also still underway," SP Karekezi explained.

As for Nsabimana, who was arrested in Rusizi, he had smuggling the 14 bales in a truck, which was transporting cement.

"Nsabimana was driving a truck, which was transporting cement, it was stopped at a police check point, search and 14 bales were found covered with bags of cement," the spokesperson said.

The seized second-hand clothes were handed over to Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) for further management while the suspects were handed over to RIB.

In article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, smuggled goods and the vehicle used in smuggling are auctioned. The driver is also handed a fine of US$5,000.

Tax fraud

A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is also subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax and a likely imprisonment of between six months and two years