Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) said that Police officers on duty intercepted Nsekuye in Kidakama Cell, Gahunga Sector at about 6:30p.m.

"Nsekuye was trafficking the outlawed polythene bags in a public vehicle. It was stopped, searched and Nsekuye was taken into custody after Police officers found his bag containing over 61000 pieces of plastic bags," SP Ndayisenga said.

It is suspected that Nsekuye sneaked the banned packaging products into Rwanda through a porous border point in Burera District.

SP Ndayisenga warned against such environmental crimes. He particularly cautioned the business community against using polythene bags for packaging, which is 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 Frw700, 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 three hundred thousand Rwandan francs (FRW 300,000) and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.