By Andrew Shyaka, Kigali
The Anti-Narcotics Unit (ANU) of the Rwanda National Police has arrested a 24-year-old man identified as Murengezi for allegedly trafficking cannabis in Kigali.
Murengezi, a resident of Kicukiro District in Gahanga Sector, Karembure Cell, Kamuyinga Village, was apprehended while in possession of 1,000 small packages of cannabis. Upon his arrest, he confessed that the drugs had been transported from Nyabihu District in the Western Province, and that he intended to distribute them to clients in Kigali.
Police confirmed that a case file has been prepared and handed over to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau for further legal proceedings on charges related to drug trafficking.
The spokesperson for police in the City of Kigali, CIP Wellars Gahonzire, praised members of the public whose timely information led to the suspect’s arrest before the drugs could be sold.
Gahonzire urged citizens to continue cooperating with law enforcement by reporting individuals involved in the trade and use of illicit drugs, warning that such activities seriously harm public health and security. He also advised those engaged in drug trafficking or consumption to abandon the practice, noting that law enforcement is well aware of the tactics used.
According to Article 263 of Rwanda’s Penal Code, anyone who produces, cultivates, processes, transports, stores, distributes, or sells illicit drugs in violation of the law commits a criminal offense. If convicted of trafficking large quantities of drugs, an offender faces life imprisonment and a fine ranging between 20 million and 30 million Rwandan francs.
