Drug trafficking increases in Eastern Province
Drug trafficking has been identified as one of the fast rising crimes in the Eastern region of Rwanda according to police reports.
This was confirmed by the Eastern Region Police Spokesman Superintendent Benoit Nsengiyumva ho said that drug related crimes are high in the region compared to other crimes.
He was commenting on the arrest of one of the traffickers who is suspected o be workin wih a chain of other drug dealers.
Rashid Muhire who is being held in Rwamagana was arrested with two and half bags of cannabis. He was apparently transporting the drugs in a hired vehicle, RAC 719A, carina type.
Nsengiyumva said that investigations into the case are ongoing with the help of the suspect to ascertain where these drugs were destined.
“The suspect is giving contradicting statements; putting the offense on the owner of the vehicle and changing sides after some interval.”
“The suspect might be working with a long chain of other criminals engaged in this trade and Police is doing its best to find out the truth,” he said.
“We are doing everything possible to address this issue. We are working closely with the community to give us on time information on such acts such that we can uproot this vice in the region completely.”
Police are trying hard to locate and cut all supply routes and it is in this regard that the public is being urged to work together with Police to eliminate drug dealing and consumption which hinders economic development.
“More efforts and strong collaboration are needed in order to search and apprehend all concerned drug dealers.”
In a related development, police also arrested other eight people in different parts of the country in connection with drugs related crimes.
Two of those arrested; Jean Baptista Niyibizi and Ruth Duhimbazimana were arrested in Rugeshi cell, Mukamira sector, Nyabihu district, with 1440 pellets of cannabis.
Article 594 of the penal code stipulates that any person, who consumes, injects, inhales, anoints him/herself with or makes any other unlawful use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of one year to three years and a fine of between Rwf50, 000 – 500, 000.
It further states that any person who unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three years to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5 million.
