Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), said that one of the traffickers identified as Niyigena Gilbert, 22, was arrested.

"The plastic bags were seized from two dealers in separate operations conducted on Sunday, December 25.

Niyigena was intercepted in Bungwe Village, Bungwe Cell in Bungwe Sector with 16400 pieces of polythene bags.

Other 40,200 plastic bags were seized in
Kanyenzugi Village, Nyirataba Cell in Kivuye Sector after the smuggler dropped them and fled," SP Ndayisenga said.

He thanked the residents, who reported the suspected traffickers and suppliers of the outlawed non-biodegradable packing products.

It is alleged that Niyigena and the second person still at large, had been hired by traders to traffic the polythene bags from Uganda.

SP Ndayisenga warned traders that using plastic bags for packaging is unlawful and punishable by law.

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.

In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300,000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.