They seized from five suspected smugglers, who were also taken into custody during the separate operations conducted on Saturday and Sunday in Gishyita Sector.

Those arrested are identified as Aisha Ary, 49, Clarisse Uwizeyimana, 28, Rosine Uwajeneza, 30, Donatha Nyinawumuntu, 32 and Elias Nzitukuze, 42.

The Western Region Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi said that the suspects were arrested in two separate operations.

"Police had prior information that the road Rusizi-Karongi was often being used by smugglers especially during weekends.

Checkpoints were mounted in Cyanya and Ngoma cells in Gishyita Sector on Saturday and Sunday when the five smugglers were arrested in public vehicles," CIP Karekezi said.

Elias Nzitukuze was found with 40kgs of used clothes while Rosine Uwajeneza and Donatha Nyinawumuntu had combined 14 rolls of electric cables.

The trio was arrested on Saturday, June 19.

"Clarisse Uwizeyimana and Aisha Ary were arrested on Sunday with combined 30kgs of second-hand clothes. They were with another smuggler, who had 80kgs of used clothes but run away as Police was searching the luggage," CIP Karekezi explained.

The suspects disclosed that they got the goods from DR Congo and sneaked them into the country through illegal border points. They were at the time enroute to Kigali.

CIP Karekezi said the operations against smuggling and fraud are continuous and called upon the public to report anyone they suspected to be engaged in any illegal cross-border business.

Under article 199 of the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods are auctioned.

Tax fraud

A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax.

With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law.

In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six months and two years.