Nizigiyimana, an illegal mineral dealer, was at the time attempting to cross the lake from Gasange Sector to Kiramuruzi, both in Gatsibo District.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Nizigiyimana was reported by water transport operators in Lake Muhazi.

"Nizigiyimana, who had a motorcycle, boarded a boat from Gasange to cross Lake Muhazi going to Kiramuruzi, but boat operators, after noticing that he had minerals, suspected him of being a smuggler or to have stolen them.

They called the Police Marine detachment in Kiramuruzi, which took him into custody, seized the minerals and impounded his motorcycle registration number RRA 846R," SP Twizeyimana said.

It is suspected that Nizigiyimana was attempting to cross the lake en-route to Fumbwe Sector in Rwamagana District, where he had a potential buyer.

"The suspect is detained at Kiramuruzi Police station, but the search for his accomplices is still underway," SP Twizeyimana said.

Article 54 of the law N° 58/2018 of 13/08/2018 on mining and quarry operations, states that; any person, who undertakes mineral or quarry exploration, exploitation, processing or trading without a licence, commits an offence.

Upon conviction, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of between two and six months and a fine of not less than Rwf1 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.

The court also orders confiscation of any seized minerals or quarry in storage, trading or processing without a license.