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Kinyarwanda
Three people were arrested in separate Police operations in Rutsiro District on Sunday in connection with trafficking and dealing in narcotic drugs and smuggling of minerals.
Police Spokesperson for the Western region, Chief Inspector of Police (IP) Theobald Kanamugire said the suspects were at the time found in possession of 180 kilogrammes of untagged minerals, 600 litres of illicit brew as well as 2800 pieces of banned plastic bags.
CIP Kanamugire identified the suspects as Anastase Ntawiringirabubu, Athanase Kanyabikari, the one only identified as Bikorimana.
He warned against fraudulent mineral dealings and trafficking of narcotic drugs and plastic bags.
Plastic bags are prohibited by law in Rwanda.
“Fighting such kinds of illegal and criminal activities is part if the police daily operations and awareness. Evading taxes is a crime that undermines development, which everyone should fight and report smugglers,” Kanamugire said.
According to laws, minerals are supposed to be tagged before they are transported by licensed dealers or companies.
Kanamugire referred to Article 1 of the Ministerial Regulations No001/Minifom/2011 relating to fighting smuggling in mineral trading that stipulates that nobody is allowed to purchase or sell minerals without commercial registration.
Article 4 of the same instrument indicates that transportation of minerals outside mining licensed areas (concessions and permits perimeters) is only allowed, when the consignment shows the source mine, its value and when it has the right tag, which was violated.
Any person, who receives or exports minerals and quarry substances without authorisation, under Article 440 of the Penal Code, is liable to a term of imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of two times the amount of the value of the received or exported substances.
