Suspected drug traffickers arrested with 6000 pellets of cannabis

{Two suspected drug traffickers identified as Jacques Habagusenga and Joseph Ndagijimana have been arrested in a Police operation in Kigali.}

The duo was arrested on December 22 in Gisozi Sector of Gasabo District with about 6000 rolls of cannabis, following information provided by members of the public, Police spokesperson ACP Celestin Twahirwa, said.

Both Habagusenga and Ndagijimana were paraded before the media on December 24 at the Rwanda National Police (RNP) headquarters in Kacyiru, an act meant to send a strong warning against use and sell of illicit drugs in Rwanda.

“Habagusenga was apprehended at about 4am after some residents called police. Investigations have since revealed that he had trafficked the narcotic substances from Rubavu District on a motorcycle,” ACP Twahirwa explained.

He sternly warned against use and sell of narcotic drugs, adding that RNP has devised decisive measures to crackdown on anyone involved.

He singled out commercial motorcyclists against involving and aiding trafficking of illicit drugs, and appealed to them to instead partner with police to report colleagues and other people, who tarnish the image of their business profession by involving in criminal and other unlawful activities.

While responding to questions from journalists, Habagusenga said: “I hired a motorcycle from Gisenyi town at Rwf30, 000, because I thought this would be the best way to transport the drugs to Kigali without being noticed or arrested. On arrival at Giti k’Inyoni, I hired another motorcycle which took me to Gisozi where I was arrested on arrival.”

He said he has been in this illegal business for about a month now.

The arrest of Habagusenga comes about a week after his wife was also arrested with cannabis wrapped around her waist and back.

Under article 594 of the penal code, 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.