The Western region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, identified the suspects as Mutoni Mukasinumvayo, 20, and Hamis Ndaruhutse, 26.

“They were arrested at about 4pm at a check-point mounted along Mukamira-Muhanga highway in Ryabasenge village, as part of Police operations against drug traffickers and smugglers. They were traveling in a public vehicle. They had concealed the narcotics in a sack of potatoes," SP Karekezi said.

The narcotics belong to Mukasinumvayo and Ndaruhutse is her employee, whom she was traveling with to supply retailers in Muhanga, according to investigations.

Ndaruhutse was to be paid Frw20,000 after supplying to retailers.

"Mukasinumvayo and her husband, both residents of Mahoko Cell, Kanama Sector of Rubavu District were suspected drug dealers," said SP Karekezi.

Both Ndaruhutse and Mukasinumvayo were handed over to RIB at Jomba station for further investigation. The search for Mukasinumvayo’s husband is still ongoing.

Article 3 of the Ministerial order nº 001/moh/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation classifies cannabis in the category of very severe narcotics.

Article 263 of the law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general states that any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.

In case of "very severe narcotic drugs" the offender is liable to between 20 years and life imprisonment and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.