They were intercepted on Wednesday, July 8, with combined 2,350 pellets of cannabis, Police said.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, identified the suspected drug traffickers as Janvier Uguyeneza and his passenger Jacques Gatsinzi, who were arrested in Jomba Sector of Nyabihu District; and Bosco Safari together with Eric Hakizimana, who were intercepted in Kivumu Sector of Rutsiro District.

“Janvier Uguyeneza and his passenger Jacques Gatsinzi, who were riding the motorcycle RD 948S, were intercepted at a checkpoint mounted along Mukamira-Kabaya highway, with 1,550 pellets of cannabis.

Bosco Safari alongside his passenger Eric Hakizimana, who were traveling on a motorcycle TVS RD 631N, were intercepted along Rutsiro-Rubavu highway with 800 pellets of cannabis. Their motorcycles were also impounded,” CIP Karekezi said.

“These were targeted operations based on the information that was earlier provided by some members of the public, who were versed with the criminal dealings of the four suspects and the routes they would use,” the spokesperson explained.

He warned taxi-moto operators against abetting and aiding drug trafficking rings.

“Some commercial motorcyclists are seduced by money paid by drug dealers to help transport them or their narcotics. Others are hired as spotters, who ride ahead as informers to guide traffickers from being arrested. Such shortcuts takes away your opportunities as you will also spend years in prison when arrested,” he warned.

Under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in Rwanda, any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence.

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