RIB in collaboration with the Rwandan police, arrested two men suspected of smuggling into the country yesterday, Friday, November 29, 2024.

Those arrested are Kagabo Marc, who was the driver, and Bizimana Maurice, who was the owner of the product, as announced by RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry in an interview with the media.

Those arrested were detained at I Rusororo at the RIB station because they were prosecuted for two crimes, namely smuggling and complicity. As revealed by RIB, RRA, and the Rwandan police, a truck was seized that was transporting contraband from Tanzania.

Among the findings of this car, there are car parts, cosmetics, women’s shoes, and other items that are illegal here in Rwanda, which can harm people’s lives, and they had to pay a tax of 77 million Rwandans.

According to the provisions of the EAC law governing customs management, in its article 200, it states that anyone who conceals goods from passing through the designated channels and knowingly commits a crime punishable by imprisonment of not less than five years and a fine equal to 50% of the value of the goods would be subject to tax.

Rwandan police spokesperson ACP Boniface Rutikanga said that the smuggling business is harming the country’s economy and hindering businessmen who do their job well.

ACP Rutikanga has also held the hands of those who work in this business, as some of those who are delaying the effective use of EBM are convincing their colleagues that it does not work well.‎The Deputy Commissioner for Tax Services and Communications, Uwitonze Jean Paulin, said this happened during their daily activities to detect smuggling.

He is ready to ask the traders to stay away from such activities, because they are in the hands of their unscrupulous colleagues and will cause a great loss to the owner.