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Kinyarwanda
Rwanda National police (RNP) has arrested a suspected major trafficker and wholesaler of cannabis in Rubavu District identified as Vincent Nzabonima, 31, with 7500 pellets of the ‘very severe drug', cannabis.
Nzabonima was arrested on Thursday, October 29, in Makiro Village, Nyacyonga Cell of Busasamana Sector. He was arrested alongside his casual employee identified as Didas Nsengimana, 27.
Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson of the Western region, said that the successful operation was conducted jointly by the Anti-Narcotics and Anti-Smuggling units following varied reports from local residents about Nzabonima’s suspected criminal dealings.
“Police officers attached to the Anti-Narcotic and Anti-Smuggling units have been trailing Nzabonima since Monday so as to apprehend him red-handed with the narcotics,” CIP Karekezi said.
He added: “Earlier information indicated that Nzabonima had 3,000 pellets although the whereabouts of the narcotics was not known. Later, new information emerged that he had crossed to the DR Congo to bring a new consignment, and through an informer, Police learnt that he had brought more 7000 pellets.
They trailed and arrested him alongside his employee, in Kamiro Village, Nyacyonga Cell, Busasamana Sector where they were found in possession of 7, 500 pellets concealed in three sacks. At the time, Nzabonima had already sold 2, 500 pellets to another dealer.”
The suspects with the exhibits were handed over to RIB station in Gisenyi.
The spokesperson explained that law enforcement organs are working together to locate and arrest other members of the group, especially his customers, who operate other retailers in different parts of the country.
The arrest comes on the heels of increased operations to break chains of supply, spearheaded by the Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU). Last month, ANU arrested three other major drug dealers; one in Rulindo District with 2,101 pellets and other 20kgs of raw cannabis and two others in Rubavu with 10kgs.
Another suspected supplier was arrested last week in Rutsiro District with over 2,200 rolls of cannabis.
Cannabis is listed as a "very severe drug" in Rwanda, alongside cocaine, opium and heroin, under the Ministerial Order No. 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation.
In article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, it is stated that anyone convicted for "severe narcotic drugs" faces a life imprisonment and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million.
