Rwanda National Police

Three vehicles loaded with 192 bales of smuggled second-hand clothes were intercepted on Friday in separate Police operations conducted in Nyagatare and Burera districts.

A Fuso truck registration number RAC 717M loaded with 150 bales of secondhand clothes was intercepted in Nyagatare.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobard Kanamugire, the Eastern region Police spokesperson, said that one Abraham Hakizimana, who is believed to be the owner of the goods, was also taken into custody.

“Police had information that this truck had previously been used on many occasions in smuggling secondhand clothes from the neighbouring countries," CIP Kanamugire said.

"This time, when some residents spotted the truck, out of suspicion, they called the Police. Indeed when officers stopped and checked it they found 150 bales of clothes, the driver only identified as Mugisha escaped by the alleged owner who was also on board was taken into custody," he added.

"The truck was impounded to Nyagatare Police Station where the suspect is also currently detained. The goods and the truck will be handed over to the Revenue Protection Unit (RPU)," the spokesperson said.

CIP Kanamugire appreciated the good existing partnership between the Police and the public.

"The goodworking relations continue to produce positive results in fighting criminality and illegal businesses including smuggling," he said.

In Burera District, Police on the same day intercepted two vehicles transporting combined 36 bales of smuggled secondhand clothes and six bales of shoes.

The East African Community Management Act in its article 199, states that a driver of the vehicle intercepted with smuggled goods, will be slapped with a fine of US$5000 while the vehicle and the goods are auctioned.

Under article 369 of the Rwandan Penal Code, the offender faces a penalty equal to the evaded tax.