The bottles of varied brands including Martini, Jambo, Black Label and Marula were seized from three people on Friday, February 11, who were also taken into custody.
Two of the suspects; Eugene Musonera, 38, and Vedaste Nshimiyimana, 35, were arrested at their liquor shops in Bibare Cell, Kimironko Sector in Gasabo District where 387 bottles were seized.
The third suspect identified as Maniraguha Didier, 25, was intercepted at a snap check mounted in Shyorongi, Rulindo District with 12 bottles assorted brands of wines and spirits.
Maniraguha was at the time traveling in a Kigali-bound bus from Rubavu, allegedly to supply Musonera Eugene.
The liquors are said to be smuggled into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“When ASOC and Protection Unit officers intercepted Didier Maniraguha with 12 bottles of liquor, he disclosed that he was sent by one Geraldine Mukeshimana, who resides in Rubavu District, to deliver them to Musonera. Maniraguha led Police to Musonera’s liquor shop in Kimironko where 75 bottles were impounded,” Superintendent of Police (SP) Octave Mutembe, the District Police Commander for Gasabo, said.
He added that after Maniraguha revealed that he was also supplying Vedaste Nshimiyimana, Police searched the latter’s nearby liquor shop where other 318 smuggled bottles of wines and spirits were seized.
The search for their alleged suppliers, Geraldine Mukeshimana is still ongoing.
“Operations against smuggling and fraud were strengthened and we advise traders to engage in legal trade instead of such malpractices which lead to arrest and incurring loses,” SP Mutembe said.
The suspects were handed over to RIB for further legal process.
Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods and automobile used in smuggling, are auctioned. The driver also faces a fine of US$5000.
{{Tax fraud}}
A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax.
The law also provides a sentence of between six months and two years in prison.
Leave a Reply