In a statement, the police said the suspect, who was on the list of major drug trafficking suspects, was intercepted at the Grand Barriere border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) while crossing into Rwanda on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

At the time of the arrest by officers from the Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) and Border Security Unit, the suspect was found in possession of 40 large bundles of cannabis.

The suspect is said to have created a secret compartment in his car to conceal the narcotics in an attempt to evade security checks.

"On Wednesday, September 25, at around 3:30 p.m., police officers, acting on a tip-off, intercepted a Congolese-registered vehicle at the Grand Barriere in Kivu village, Nengo cell, Gisenyi sector. The vehicle was transporting 40 large bundles of cannabis, and the driver, who is the suspected rightful owner of the narcotics, was arrested," Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the police spokesperson for the Western Region, said.

The suspect was handed over to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau at Gisenyi station.

Investigations indicate that the suspect was on his way to Kigali when he was cornered by the police.

"We believe he was headed to Kigali to supply one of his clients. Operations are still underway to bring all members of this drug trafficking ring to justice," SP Karekezi said.

SP Karekezi praised the impact of community policing in identifying and arresting drug dealers, as well as dismantling trafficking networks and local retailers.

Cannabis is classified as a severe narcotic in Rwanda, with penalties ranging from 20 years to life in prison.

Investigations indicate that the suspect was on his way to Kigali when he was cornered by the police.