Over 11kgs and 339 pellets of cannabis were also impounded from suspected dealers in Burera and Kayonza districts.

One Uzarama Cyuma, 54, was arrested in Burera District, Rwerere Sector in Rugali Cell, Gatovu Village with 1kg and 339 pellets of cannabis.

Law enforcement organs are also still searching for another suspected drug dealer, who fled during the operation in Ragwe Village, Nyagatovu Cell of Mukarange Sector in Kayonza District where 10kgs of cannabis were impounded.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Alex Ndayisenga, the Northern Region Political and Civic Education Officer (RPCEO) said that Cyuma was reported by residents.

"Cyuma was a suspected drug dealer trafficking cannabis into Rwanda from Uganda. On Thursday at about 10:30a.m, it emerged that he had cannabis hidden at his home, where Police officers later recovered 1kg and 339 pellets of cannabis and took the suspect into custody," SP Ndayisenga said.

Cyuma and the exhibits were handed over to RIB at Rusarabuye station.

Meanwhile, in Kayonza District, the trafficker was transporting the 10kgs of cannabis on a motorcycle before dropping them after seeing the Police and fleeing.

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 law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses 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.

Upon conviction for very severe narcotics, the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.