In the latest operations conducted on Monday, March 7, Police apprehended two major drug dealers in Rulindo and Nyabihu districts with combined 12kgs and 115 pellets of cannabis.
Vestine Iradukunda, 27, was apprehended at about 1pm, in Buramba Village, Cyohoha Cell, Base Sector, Rulindo District with a bundle containing 12kgs of cannabis
Jean Pierre Hakizimana alias Kazungu, 28, on the other hand, was arrested at about 7pm, in Bugarama Village, Bukinanyana Cell, Jenda Sector of Nyabihu District with 115 pellets of cannabis.
The Northern region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, said that Iradukunda was arrested due to information provided by local residents.
“Police received credible information that Iradukunda and her husband are major drug dealers, who sneak cannabis into Rwanda from Uganda through porous borders. An operation was conducted at their home where officers searched and found a sack containing 12kgs of cannabis. Iradukunda was arrested but his husband managed to flee,” said SP Ndayisenga.
Meanwhile, Jean Pierre Hakizimana was arrested red-handed in Bukinanyana with 115 pellets of cannabis.
According to SP Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, Hakizimana was at the time found in possession of 100 pellets, which he was going to supply a client in Bukinanyana Cell.
“Police also searched his house, where other 15 pellets were recovered. We commend the role of the public in identifying and arresting drug dealers,” said SP Karekezi.
The suspect and exhibits were handed over to RIB at Bushoki and Jenda stations, respectively, for further investigation while the search for members of the rings is still underway.
Article 3 of the Ministerial order nº 001/moh/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation classifies cannabis in the category of “very severe narcotics.”
Article 263 of the law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general states that any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.
In case of “very severe narcotic drugs” the offender is liable to between 20 years and life imprisonment and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.
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