The man only identified as Hakuzimana, 22, was intercepted on Sunday, September 4, at about 5:30 am, in Nyarukore Village, Tumba Cell of Bungwe Sectors.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO), said that Hakuzimana had sneaked the polythene bags into Rwanda from Uganda, through a porous border point.

“Hakuzimana was reported by residents of Tumba, who saw him crossing from Uganda through an illegal border point, with a suspicious luggage.

When Police officers stopped and searched him in Nyarukore village, they found that the bag he was carrying contained the banned plastic bags, he was taken into custody," SP Ndayisenga said.

Hakuzimana was allegedly supplying the plastic bags to traders in Burera and Gicumbi districts.

SP Ndayisenga warned against trafficking, selling and packaging in the non-biodegradable products and appealed to the public to always report anyone they suspect to be smuggling or selling plastic bags, which pose serious effect on the ecosystem.

The suspect was handed over to RIB at Bungwe station.

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.