Rwanda National Police (RNP) impounded an unlicensed vehicle in Muhanga District, which was transporting about 900kgs of substandard meat.
Five people, including the alleged rightful owner of the illicit meat, were arrested.
Other suspects include those who were transporting from the bush where the animals were slaughtered to a point where the vehicle was parked, a veterinary officer and another man, who had issued a forged document.
The Police spokesperson for the Southern region, Superintendent Police (SP) Emmanuel Habiyaremye, said that the vehicle was intercepted at about 2:30p.m, in Murambi Village, Ruli Cell Shyogwe Sector, enroute to Kigali.
“Police acted on credible information from residents about men, who were loading illicit meat in a vehicle in the Cyeza sector, also in Muhanga District. The vehicle, which was operating on a forged meat transport document, was intercepted in Murambi Shyogwe Sector and five people were arrested,” SP Habiyaremye said.
The suspected owner of uninspected meat operates a butchery in Nyarugenge District where he was allegedly selling substandard meat.
SP Habiyaremye said law enforcement organs and local leaders are working together to know the origin of the cows that were slaughtered.
“It is likely that the cows are among those that have been reported stolen in Muhanga and other districts. So far, 28 cows have been reported stolen in the Southern region over the past one month,” the spokesperson said.
Upon conviction, they will be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five (5) years but not more than seven (7) years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties. (End)