Rwanda National Police

A suspected smuggler was arrested on Friday, March 31, in Gicumbi District with 24000 pieces of polythene bags and a bag full of smuggled second-hand clothes.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), said that the suspect was intercepted by the Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) in Gisiza village, Nyamabuye cell of Byumba sector, after sneaking the used clothes and non-biodegradable plastic bags into Rwanda from Uganda.

"He was arrested at about midnight by the RPU, which had mounted a checkpoint to fight smuggling and fraud. He suspect was transporting the plastic bags and clothes on a motorcycle, registration number RG 773Q, which was also impounded," SP Ndayisenga said.

The motorcycle and the goods were taken to the Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) branch in Gicumbi.

The smuggler, who was handed over to RIB at Byumba station, allegedly met his suppliers in Nyankenke sector also in Gicumbi District, who had sneaked them into Rwanda through a porous border point.

By law, smuggled goods and automobile used in smuggling are auctioned.

Article 87 of the law on tax procedures provides an imprisonment of between 2 and 5 years, for tax evasion.

Manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N° 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.

In article 10, 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 the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.