RWAMAGANA - Police in Rwamagana district, yesterday morning, seized several kilograms of marijuana and arrested its dealer.

Jean Bosco Kinyoni, of Kigabiro sector, who was found in possession of the drugs, is a former genocide convict and recidivist drug dealer.

According to the police, he was caught red-handed in his house arranging marijuana in small bits commonly known as bulls, for sale.

"His criminal record is wanting. We are trying to establish his net-work inside and outside the country. All such criminals are at our finger tips,” said the Police.

Sources say marijuana is grown illegally in forests of neighbouring countries, and is smuggled to Rwanda through the porous borders.

Kinyoni confessed to the crime and pleaded to be forgiven. He said that he got the marijuana from his links with Tanzanians and other Rwandans in Kigali.

"There is one man called Gasongo a resident of Kabuga in Kigali and a Tanzanian driver, called Venuste who supply me with marijuana regularly. All I need is mercy and I will never do it again,” he pleaded.

Valerie Rubibi, the Executive Secretary of Kigabiro Sector in Rwamagana, told The New Times that most of the crimes in the area, are related to the use of marijuana and other drugs.

"Marijuana is dangerous to our communities; rape, fighting and robbery are motivated by the drugs. We shall not leave any stone unturned in our efforts to crack down on the criminals,” he said.

Articles 272 and 273 of the Penal Code stipulates that use or abuse of drugs like Marijuana is punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison, and a fine of Rwf250,000, or either of the two. 

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