The Western region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, identified the suspect as Innocent Hakizimana, 37, who was arrested due to a tip-off by residents.

"Residents in Ubucuruzi Village reported Hakizimana, who was being transported on a motorcycle with a bundle of cannabis. Police conducted an operation and apprehended him with the narcotics few minutes after being dropped by the taxi-moto operator, who fled,” said SP Karekezi.

SP Karekezi commended the impact of the public in identifying and reporting suspected drug dealers.

He warned commercial motorcyclists against facilitating and transporting drug dealers, and narcotics.

Hakizimana and the exhibits were handed over to RIB at Gisenyi station for further investigations.

Article 3 of 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 the law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences 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.

In case of "very severe narcotic drugs" the offender is liable to between 20 years and life imprisonment and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.