Rwanda National Police

A vehicle and two motorcycles were impounded on Tuesday in Burera and Muhanga districts, respectively, after they found carrying varied quantities of outlawed plastic bags. 

Four people including the driver, rider and two other people, who were aboard the vehicle, were also arrested. 

In Muhanga District, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the two motorcycles RD 318F and RB 213V were intercepted in Rongi sector, Karambo cell with combined 12, 000 pieces of polythene bags. 

"One rider identified as Jean Bosco Nshimiyimana, 25, was arrested but the other runaway abandoning the motorcycle and the polythene bags," said CIP Twajamahoro. 

Credible information, he added, was provided by residents and Police officers were deployed at about 1 pm when the traffickers were intercepted, the motorcycles and their illegal goods impounded. 

In Burera District, a vehicle RAA 649G was intercepted in Gahunga Sector, Rwasa Cell with three sacks of the non-biodegradable products. 

The driver identified as Jean de Dieu Shingiro, 30, alongside two other men on board; Alexis Nshimiyimana, 28, and Clementine Nyirabazungu, 25, were taken into custody. 

CIP Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, said that the vehicle was stopped in Mutara village along Cyanika-Musanze road, searched and recovered the three sacks of polythene bags. 

"The vehicle was intercepted at about 6 pm, traffickers didn't disclose where they were coming from but said that they were taking the plastic bags to Kimisagara in Nyarugenge District in Kigali."

Under article 10 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 on environment, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items, is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times of the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.