They were arrested separately on Tuesday, November 29, in Rulindo and Kicukiro districts with combined 13kgs and 574 pellets of cannabis.

Those arrested include one Elevanie Nyirahabimana, 30, who was apprehended in Buriza Village, Mugambazi Cell of Murambi Sector in Rulindo District with 402 rolls of cannabis.

Another suspected drug dealer identified as Aphrodis Niyigena alias Potential, 29, was caught with 10kgs in Munini Village, Rudogo Cell, Cyinzuzi Sector also in Rulindo District.

Niyigena was at the time transporting the narcotics on a motorcycle, according to Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO).

Meanwhile, the duo of Bernard Niyonkuru, 20, and Kagesera Jean Baptiste, 40, were arrested with 3kgs and 172 pellets of cannabis, in Kabeza Village, Cyimo Cell in Masaka Sector, Kicukiro District.

"The successful operation was informed by credible information provided by residents of Buriza Village on Nyirahabimana, who was later arrested with 402 rolls of cannabis," said SP Ndayisenga.

He added: "After the arrest of Nyirahabimana, she disclosed to the ANU officers her supplier, Niyigena, a resident of Tumba. Nyirahabimana further told the Police that Niyigena traffics the narcotics into Rwanda from Uganda.

The ANU officers later tracked Niyigena in Rudogo, Cyinzuzi Sector, where he was arrested with other 10kgs of cannabis, which he transporting on a motorcycle."

In the case involving Niyonkuru and Kagesera; the Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, CIP Sylvestre Twajamahoro, said that they were arrested at their rental house in Kabeza where they were running their narcotics business.

"Police searched and recovered 3kgs and 172 rolls of cannabis at their house. They were also found with money amounting to Rwf176, 500, which they had allegedly made from selling cannabis," CIP Twajamahoro said.

All the suspects were handed over to RIB for further legal process.

This is one of the many successful Police operations against drug dealers, which are largely facilitated by the public through community policing.

Cannabis is classified as a "very severe narcotic drug" in Rwanda with a sentence of up to life in prison, and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.