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Separate police operations conducted on Wednesday in the districts of Rwamagana and Nyabihu led to the arrest of two people, who were at the time trafficking combined 4,062 pellets of cannabis.
The operations were based on reliable information provided by residents in the two districts.
Two of the suspects, Abdon Habimana, 33, and Simon Ntawuyirushintege, 31, were arrested carrying 231 pellets of cannabis, in Rwamagana District, Mwulire and Gahengeri sectors, respectively.
Habimana escaped law enforcers on 27 November, 2019, when they searched his house, they found 229 pellets of cannabis, and he was arrested on Wednesday 18 December 2019.
Meanwhile, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Emmanuel Kayigi, the Police spokesperson for Western region said that same operations were conducted in Nyabihu District and led to the interception of 3,821 pellets of cannabis, though suspects, who were transporting the consignment of cannabis on the motorcycle managed to escape.
“Two suspects were transporting those pellets in Bigogwe Sector of Nyabihu District. When they met a team of residents on neighborhood night patrol commonly known as “Irondo ry’Umwuga”, suspects got away on their motorcycle but left behind what they were transporting,” he explained.
CIP Kayigi added, “Those who were on duty called Police officers and after searching the luggage, they found 3,821 pellets, we are still looking for suspects.”
The spokesperson warned that fighting trafficking, making, selling and abusing drugs is a national policy and RNP major priorities through community awareness and operations. He further called for strong partnership with the public to break drug trafficking chains of supply.
“Drug traffickers should beware of the legal implications of what they do, and those who are yet to be arrested, at a certain point their luck will run out and they will face the wrath of the law,” CIP Kayigi warned.
“We also commend residents who report whenever they see suspicious drug traffickers and we encourage them to keep teaching those involved in drug trafficking to refrain from pursuing illegal businesses,” he added.
Article 263 of the new penal code on “acts related to the use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances,” says;
Any person who, in any way, eats, drinks, injects himself/herself, inhales or one, who anoints oneself with psychotropic substances, commits an offence, and liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than two years or subject to a penalty of community service.
Any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence.
Upon conviction, he or she is liable to a life imprisonment and a fine of between Rwf20 million and not more Rwf30 million in regard to “severe narcotic drugs”; imprisonment for a term of not less than 7 years and not more than 10 years and a fine of up to Rwf10 million in regard to “simple narcotics.”
