Pharmaceutical products, including 40 cartons of Coartem and 3, 000 tablets of Bactrim, were yesterday intercepted in Nyagatare District as they were being smuggled from Uganda. The drugs, which also include 30 malaria test tube apparatus, were being transported on a motorcycle.A man identified as Leonard Habamahirwe, who was transporting the drugs, was also apprehended and is currently detained at Nyagatare Police station pending investigations. Inspector of Police Emmanuel Kayigi, Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, who confirmed the seizure and the subsequent arrest, said they received a tip-off from people residing at the border area about someone who had entered the country through an illegal border crossing carrying unknown things on a motorcycle. “He was stopped in Nyagatare Cell and searched and was found carrying pharmaceutical products,” IP Kayigi said. Although Nyagatare is at the border and prone to smuggling and other cross-border illegal activities through porous borders, IP Kayigi explained that there are measures in place to curb such acts, including snap checks, community policing where locals take the responsibility of fighting such acts and working with Uganda Police to intercept such illegal commodities and apprehend criminals. Earlier this month, RNP in collaboration with Uganda Police, recovered 12 cows that had been stolen from Nyagatare and taken to Kafunjo, about 20 kilometres off Kagitumba border post in the South Western Ugandan district of Ntungamo. IP Kayigi appealed to residents, especially those residing near the border, to always report any illegal acts, adding that such smuggled products can endanger people’s health. Since last month, counterfeit and illicit goods, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and alcoholic drinks valued at over Rwf14.5 million, have been seized in Rwanda in an ongoing Interpol-backed regional operation code named ‘FAGIA’. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
