The vehicle, RAV4 registration number RAE 326Y, was intercepted on Wednesday, September 20, at about 05a.m, in Nshuri village, Gatengure cell of Tabagwe sector.

Two men, who were on board; the driver and the alleged owner of the polythene bags, were also arrested.

The suspects told the Police that they had smuggled the outlawed packaging products into Rwanda from Uganda, through a porous border point in Nyagatare District.

They added that they were at the time trafficking the non-biodegradable products to Kayonza District.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that the vehicle was intercepted during operations against smuggling.

"Police had information about smugglers and drug traffickers, who operate mainly at night.

The vehicle was stopped, searched and Police officers recovered boxes containing 540,000 pieces of polythene bags leading to the arrest of the two people on board," SP Twizeyimana said.

He commended the role of the public in fighting smuggling and other unlawful acts, through information sharing.

Manufacturing, use, importation or sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items are prohibited under article 3 of law N? 17/2019 of 10/08/2019 relating to the prohibition of manufacturing, importation, use, and sale of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items in Rwanda.

In article 10, any person, who imports plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to the dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items, and to an administrative fine equivalent to ten times the value of those plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items.

In article 11, a wholesaler of plastic carry bags and single use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf700, 000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.

In article 12, a retailer of plastic carry bags and single-use plastic items is liable to an administrative fine of Rwf300,000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items.