{Police in Ngoma district have foiled an attempt to smuggle 192 bottles of alcohol and arrested a suspect in connection with tax evasion.}
Police also impounded a Mitsubishi plate number RAB 823M that was carrying the bottles of amstel bock. the arrested suspect is identified as Fidel Nzamurambaho, 30, the driver of the impounded vehicle.
According to the Eastern Region Police Spokesperson, Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi police acted on a tip-off from residents, and moved fast to intercept the vehicle and arrested the suspect.
He added that the suspect is currently held at Ngoma police station as investigations take course.
“Smuggling is illegal and punishable under Rwandan laws, because of its negative effect on the economy through the evasion of taxes and disrupting pricing of commodities on the market. We commend those who provide timely information to Police and urge them to continue the partnership with Police in order to overcome this challenge,” said IP Kayigi.
He also advised the business community to always go through legal channels and avoid shady dealings that leave them in loses after arrest and heavy penalties.
IP Kayigi went on to add that Police is committed to fighting economic crimes, including tax evasion and smuggling, which are detrimental to the economy.
Police conduct awareness campaigns against such economic crimes and partners with the business community and concerned institutions to fight smuggling.
Rwanda National Police currently has a unit – Revenue Protection Unit – attached to RRA to fight fraud and tax evasion.
Many operations have been successful in limiting this crime and many of those involved have been arrested, he said.
“Let us continue working together through community policing and ensure that any sort of smuggling is prevented.”
None payment of required tax attracts a jail term between six months to two years according to article 371 of the Rwandan Penal Code.
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