Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, identified the suspects as Jean Claude Tuyishime, 19, Emmanuel Sindayiheba, 25, Lionson Gasore, 19, and Jean de Dieu Nkurunziza, 22.

The quartet was intercepted in Mururu Sector, Gahinga Cell as they crossed into Rwanda with the sacks of caguwa, from the Democratic Republic of Congo through an illegal border point.

"Following information that a group of smugglers would be sneaking goods into the country from DRC through a porous border, an operation was organized and they were arrested red-handed with the six sacks of used clothes," CIP Karekezi said.

The suspects said that they were just hired to smuggle the clothes into Rwanda by a certain trader.

"The alleged owner of the clothes, who had hired these four people, will also be located and arrested," the spokesperson said.

The quartet was also placed under quarantine for COVID-19 tests.

CIP Karekezi thanked residents who provided information, and cautioned the public that such unlawful acts of fraud can also lead to the spread of Coronavirus.

He assured residents that operations have been intensified to fight fraud and to enforce government directives meant to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including unnecessary and prohibited cross-border movements.