Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamduni Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Nshimyumuremyi was arrested by the security patrol as he crossed into Rwanda through an illegal border point.

"Police officers, who were on patrol in Rwempasha Sector, stopped Nshimyumuremyi, who was carrying a luggage of 20, 000 pieces of banned plastic bags," CIP Twizeyimana said.

CIP Twizeyimana warned against illegal border crossing and selling of outlawed products in particular polythene bags, which were banned in Rwanda due to their ill-effects on the environment.

He further urged the public to report people, who traffic, sell and package goods in the outlawed polythene bags.

Nshimyumuremyi along with the plastic bags was handed over to RIB at Rwempasha station for further legal process.

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.

The smuggler was intercepted on Monday.