{A driver of a public coaster commuter along Kigali-Rusumo highway, on Thursday drove one of the passengers on board to Police after he suspected him of containing narcotics in his luggage, a brave act of community Policing which Rwanda National Police puts forward in crime prevention. }
The driver, who was en route from Kirehe District in the Eastern Province to Kigali, stopped at a road block in Ndera, Gasabo district and informed Police of his suspicion.
Police officers then searched the suspected passenger’s baggage, and found over 30 kilogrammes of cannabis in two sacks concealed in a bag.
Police spokesperson for the Central region, Supt. Modeste Mbabazi identified the suspect as Emmanuel Habumugisha, a resident of Nyagatovu Cell, Kimironko Sector in Gasabo.
Habumugisha is currently detained at Kicukiro Police Station as investigations continue.
Supt. Mbabazi commended the driver for acting responsibly and urged drivers to follow suit and always be vigilant of the passengers and luggage they transport.
“To be able to effectively combat incidences of drugs abuse in Rwanda, we all need to work together and make it everyone responsibility to report drug dealers so as to break the supply chain,” said Supt. Mbabazi.
He noted that besides being a criminal act, such drugs pose danger to consumer’s life.
Medical experts say cannabis also called marijuana, has psychological and physiological effects on the human body including increased heartbeat or risk of heart attack and rapid destruction of lung fibers and lesions (injuries) to the brain that are also likely to be permanent.
In a related development, four other people were arrested separately on the same day in different parts of the country after they were found in possession of cannabis.
One of the suspects; Claudien Hagenimana, was apprehended in Kicukiro after police recovered about 5 kilogrammes of the narcotic drug in his house in Bumbogo sector.
Supt. Mbabazi warned dealers that “luck might not be on their side always” adding that the force will not tire until all those involved are arrested to face justice.
Article 594 of the Rwandan penal code, stipulates 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 to five years and a fine of Rwf500,000 to Rwf5 million.
Combating drugs abuse is among the RNP priorities.
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