Arrest in Kigali: Police Seize 36kg of Cannabis in Anti-Drug Operation
Police in Kigali significantly disrupted illegal drug operations by intercepting 36kg of cannabis in Nyarugenge District. The drugs, hidden in a vehicle, were being transported by two men who were arrested before delivering their shipment to customers operating in various parts of Kigali and surrounding areas.
The suspects, aged 53 and 43, were apprehended in Nyarusange Cell, Nyamweru Sector of Kanyinya. The cannabis was concealed in three sacks inside a Toyota Verso vehicle, identified by the license plate RAF 800 I.
Kigali Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Wellars Gahonzire, shared that the arrest was made possible after vigilant residents provided actionable intelligence.
“Residents reported suspicious activity involving a vehicle transporting cannabis towards Kigali City. Acting on this tip, the anti-drug unit conducted a thorough operation and located the vehicle in Kanyinya Sector. The drugs, weighing a total of 36kg, were expertly concealed in the car’s spare tire. The two suspects were promptly detained,” CIP Gahonzire revealed.
Further investigations revealed the suspects' active involvement in drug trafficking. They admitted to smuggling cannabis from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into Rwanda, collaborating with motorcycle taxi drivers at Gitikinyoni. These drivers played a key role in distributing the drugs to customers in Kigali and Kamonyi District.
CIP Gahonzire issued a stern warning to individuals profiting from the illegal distribution of drugs, urging them to abandon such actions in favor of lawful businesses. “Drug-related offenses will be relentlessly pursued, thanks to coordination between law enforcement and vigilant citizens,” he said.
The Police spokesperson commended local residents whose timely information prevented the spread of the confiscated cannabis. He encouraged others to report any drug trafficking or criminal activity to authorities promptly as part of efforts to strengthen public safety.
The seized drugs and arrested suspects were handed over to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) at Kanyinya station for case filing and further prosecution.
Under Rwanda's law, Ministerial Order No. 001/moh/2019 of March 4, 2019, officially categorizes cannabis as a highly prohibited substance.
Article 263 of Rwanda’s penal code states that any unauthorized production, cultivation, transformation, transportation, or sale of drugs constitutes a criminal offense. Convictions for severe drug-related crimes can result in life imprisonment and fines between 20 million and 30 million Rwandan francs.
The Kigali arrest serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences awaiting those involved in illegal drug operations, cementing the importance of joint efforts between authorities and the public in fighting drug trafficking.