Cyclist arrested with 330 cartons of polythene bags in Bugesera

An attempt to smuggle plastic bags into the country was foiled on May 19 when Police in Bugesera District arrested a commercial cyclist transporting over 66, 000 pieces of the banned biodegradable bags.

The polythene bags packed in 330 cartons were seized at about 6:30 am in Gashora Sector.

The prime suspect, Marcel Nkerabahizi, who was transporting the bags at the time, was also arrested and currently detained at Gashora Police Station, Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi, Eastern region Police Spokesperson, said.

“This was targeted operation acting on credible information from one of the residents in Gashora, who saw Nkerabahizi with the illegal products,” IP Kayigi said.

“This is among many other successful operations attributed to the people themselves, who have taken the lead to fight illegal and criminal acts through community policing,” he added.

He further warned against anyone who smuggle, attempt to sell or circulate non-biodegradable plastic bags.

“It is clear… use and sale of polythene bags is illegal and punishable by the law, and as Rwanda National Police, we call upon the general public to report anyone violating the law to use or smuggle these banned bags into the country.”

“Use of plastic bags is prohibited since 2008. Besides that, several mechanisms including legal provisions against use of plastic bags have been put in place. We have also sensitized on such laws and the impact of these bags on environmental degradation and at this point, we expect everyone to be on the right side to understand the consequences involved,” he noted.

“Non-biodegradable plastic are commonly found in bordering districts… we believe they are smuggled through porous borders; we have intensified awareness, monitoring and operations to crackdown on anyone who attempts to smuggle them into the country,” IP Kayigi said.

Rwanda with a vision to maintain a clean, healthy and wealthy environment has by law banned the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags which are considered a threat to the ecosystem.