The Eastern region Police spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police(CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said that the arrest of Twagirayesu was due to information provided by a resident.

“A resident informed the Police that Twagirayesu was headed to Nyamiyonga in Musheri Sector to pick a consignment of smuggled minerals. Police trailed him and arrested him at a checkpoint, which was mounted in Matimba, with a sack of cassiterite weighing 50kgs," CIP Twizeyimana said.

He thanked the resident, who reported the unlawful mineral trade.

Twagirayesu was handed over to RIB at Matimba station for further legal process.

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.

Twagirayesu was arrested upon information provided by a resident.