Police arrested Ntawizera Leonce and Mugwiza Jean Baptiste, residents of Gacuriro cell, Kinyinya sector, Gasabo District with 65kg of smuggled mineral, Coltan.
The pair was arrested while on a motorcycle heading to Nyabisindu in Remera sector.
According to Police sources, Ntawizera commonly known as Kirisisi was on the run from Rutongo where he had escaped with charges of illegal mineral mining. The pair is now under Police custody in Rulindo.
Another joint force operation held by Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) on Monday, arrested six people for extracting coltan mineral illegally in a prohibited area located in Gisiza cell, Kabacuzi sector, Muhanga District.
The six namely; Nkeramugabo Jean, Habimana Wellars, Karangwa Evariste, Twagirimana Théoneste, Twagirimana Védaste and Dukundumuremyi Lambert are currently held at Kiyumba Police station.
Mining activities must be conducted in accordance with the law protecting the environment in Rwanda.
It is in this regard that Muhanga district officials stopped residents from mining in areas which are not environmental-friendly but some other people defied the regulation and resorted to hold illegal mining during night hours.
After a joint search operation, tools (exhibits) used to extract the mineral including 8 spades, 1 pestle and 1 machete were recovered from the suspects.
Leave a Reply