Police in Ngororero District are holding two men who were intercepted transporting untagged minerals, and attempted to bribe an officer to buy their way out.

The suspects, identified as Jean Damascene Humvumugabo and Diogene Kanyamuninja, were on Wednesday found with 100 kilogrammes of untagged coltan.

According to the Western Region Police spokesperson, Theobald Kanamugire, upon their arrest, the suspects tried to bribe an officer on duty with Rwf167,000.

"An officer on duty encountered a motorcycle with plate number RC758J, in Myiha Cell of Muhororo Sector, rode by Humvumugabo carrying a huge sack. When the officer checked, he found it was minerals and he immediately took the suspect into custody for being in possession of illegally mined minerals,” said Kanamugire.

"Upon arresting Humvumugabo, Kanyamuninja showed up and attempted to bribe the officer with Rwf167,000 so as to release Humvumugabo, but was also arrested right away,” he added.

Kanamugire referred to Article 1 of the Ministerial Regulations No001/Minifom/2011 relating to fighting smuggling in mineral trading that stipulates that nobody is allowed to purchase or sell minerals without commercial registration.

"Article 4 of the same instrument indicates that transportation of minerals outside mining licensed areas (concessions and permits perimeters) is only allowed, when the consignment shows the source mine, its value and when it has the right tag, which was violated,” Kanamugire explained.

Any person, who receives or exports minerals and quarry substances without authorisation, under Article 440 of the Penal Code, is liable to a term of imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of two times the amount of the value of the received or exported substances.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw