Rwanda National Police

Police in Rubavu and Nyabihu districts, on Saturday, arrested two men separately with 4056 pellets of cannabis.

One of the suspects, Juvenal Mbonigaba, 34, was arrested in Batikoti cell of Kabatwa sector in Nyabihu with 3780 pellets of cannabis.

Another drug dealer, Denny Ukwitegetse, 25, was arrested in Byahi cell of Rubavu sector in Rubavu district with 276 pellets.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said the information was provided by local leaders. 

"Local authorities, who had received information from local residents, informed the Police on the individuals, their suspected criminal activities and the remote routes they use," CIP Karekezi said. 

"After getting credible information, we deployed police officers in that route they intercepted, Mbonigaba who was carrying sack full of cannabis on motorcycle TVS RD 132C,"

"Ukwitegetse was also arrested in partnership with other security organs. He was trafficking the narcotics in small jerrycans."

He warned those who thinks that the can use this period of fighting coronavirus virus to roam freely in their criminal activities. 

The spokesperson appreciated the good parternship between  local leaders, security organs and the public in fighting and preventing crimes. 

"The usual police operations against criminal acts and drug dealers in particular are continuous. We call for continued information sharing on drug dealers and other wrongdoers," CIP Karekezi said. 

Anyone convicted as a major drug dealer, under the new penal code especially in its article 263, faces between 20 years and life imprisonment.