Cleophas Bizabarimana, 27, was arrested on Thursday, June 24, in Gasabo Village, Kiyovu Cell of Ndego Sector.

The District Police Commander (DPC) for Kayonza, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Alex Fata said that Bizabarimana, who was trafficking the narcotics on a motorcycle was intercepted at about 3am by Police officers, who were on patrol.

"We are aware that this route is used by drug traffickers, especially at night. In the night of Thursday, Police officers, who were conducting patrol in the same area stopped Bizabarimana at about 3am, who was transporting two sacks of cannabis on a motorcycle weighing 30kgs," SSP Fata said.

Bizabarimana was immediately taken into custody and the motorcycle impounded to Ndego where he was handed over to RIB alongside the exhibits.

Following his arrest, Bizabarimana disclosed that he got the drugs from the neighbouring Tanzania and was at the time headed to Kabarondo where he was to supply other local retailers.

SSP Fata warned anyone engaged in drug related crimes adding that routes used by traffickers have been mapped and that the Police works with local leaders and the public to identify all those involved to be arrested to face justice.

The Ministerial order nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation classifies cannabis in the category of "very severe narcotics.’’

Article 263 of law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.

Upon conviction for very severe narcotics, the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.