Two people were arrested in Kicukiro District for allegedly trafficking and distributing non-biodegradable plastic bags.
The duo–a man and woman–was arrested in Gahanga Sector, Karembure Cell in Amahoro village, with 80,000 pieces of the outlawed polythene bags.
Their arrest followed information provided by some residents of Karembure, according to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Wellars Gahonzire, the Police spokesperson for the Central region.
“They were apprehended red-handed by the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crimes department after receiving information that they were selling these banned packaging products, which are harmful to the ecosystem. They had 400 cartons (80000 pieces) of polythene bags hidden in the nearby bush, where they were recovered,” CIP Gahonzire said.
The suspects said that they sneaked the plastic bags into Rwanda from Uganda, through an illegal entry point. It is alleged that they have been using the same illegal channels to traffic polythene bags into the country.
CIP Gahonzire warned against trafficking, sale and use of polythene bags, and thanked the public for their partnership against such environmental crimes.
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 Frw700, 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 Frw300,000 and dispossession of those plastic carry bags and such items. (End)