Police and local leaders in Ruhango District have arrested one of the suspected major distributors of cannabis. Elam Simuhuga, 50, was arrested on November 13, Ruhango Sector, Munini Cell, Rwezamenyo Village.
He is suspected to be one of the major cannabis suppliers in Ruhango and Muhanga districts. At the time of his arrest, Simuhuga was found in possession of 3kgs of cannabis.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that Simuhuga was reported by residents in Munini Cell, where he resides.
“There was information that Simuhuga is a major drug dealer and supplier in Ruhango and Muhanga District. In the night of Friday, November 13, at about 11pm, Police and local leaders searched his house and recovered 3kgs of raw cannabis hidden in the kraal and a weighing scale he was using to measure the narcotics during supply,” said SP Kanamugire.
He has since been handed over to RIB at Muhanga station.
“It is not the first time that Simuhuga has been implicated in this high impact crime. On October 30, together with other members of his ring, they escaped arrest in Muhanga. At the time, they had 1,500 pellets of cannabis and were armed with machetes and other sharp objects.”
SP Kanamugire said that law enforcement organs are still searching for two other accomplices, who tried to attack security organs during the previous operation in Muhanga.
He thanked the residents, who facilitated the arrest, adding that this community policing spirit helps to identify and break chains of supply.
What the law in Rwanda says
Cannabis is listed as a “very severe drug” in Rwanda, alongside cocaine, opium and heroin under the Ministerial Order No. 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation.
In article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, it is specified that anyone convicted for “severe narcotic drugs” faces a life imprisonment and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million. (End)