Two people suspected to have been circulating counterfeit currency notes and defrauding traders were arrested last Saturday in Rwamagana District.
Police spokesperson for the Eastern Province, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobard Kanamugire identified the suspects as Anastase Ugirashebuja, 38, and Jean Pierre Mugisha.
“Police had information that the two were circulating money in Rwamagana and defrauding traders buying goods using fake notes,” CIP Kanamugire said.
“After gathering all the information and knowing where they live, Police on February 24 conducted a targeted operation and arrested them in Ramba Village, Nyagasenyi Cell of Kigabiro Sector. Ugirashebuja was at the time of arrest found in possession of counterfeit notes amounting to Rwf20, 000 while Mugisha had Rwf25, 000,” he added.
The currency notes were in the denominations of Rwf5000, he said. The duo is currently detained at Kigabiro Police station pending further investigations.
“Investigations indicate that these two had already spent a lot of forged monies buying goods, especially in wee hours. So, the operation and subsequent arrest of Ugirashebuja and Mugisha was based especially on information provided by a number of victims,” the spokesperson said.
He called upon the general public especially traders such owners of retail shops, bars and mobile banking agents, the majority targeted, to always be vigilant and be quick to relay information to ensure suspects are arrested to face justice.
Currency counterfeiting is criminalized under article 601 of the penal code with an imprisonment ranging between five and seven years.
