The Revenue Protection Unit (RPU) has intercepted a truck on Gatuna-Kigali highway loaded with 40 boxes of banned gin under various brand names, including Blue Sky, Kitoko and Read Gin. The vehicle, registration number RAC 008U – Mitsubishi Fuso type – was intercepted at about 2am in Jabana Sector, Gasabo District. RPU is a Rwanda National Police (RNP) arm attached to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) to fight smuggling, fraud and drug trafficking, among others The commanding officer of RPU, Chief Supt. Sam Bugingo, said that they received information from a resident in Gicumbi District about the truck which was headed to Kigali. “At about 11pm, we received a call from a responsible resident informing us about this specific vehicle, which was at the time loading boxes he suspected to be illegal goods,” CSP Bugingo said. “We worked with the resident to track the truck and RPU officers trailed it but after noticing a roadblock in Nyacyonga, the driver pulled over and ran away abandoning the vehicle and the illicit gin,” he added. The vehicle was impounded and taken to RPU offices in Gikondo but investigations are still underway to trace the owner of the vehicle and the driver, according to the officer. This will facilitate conclusive investigations to identify and arrest all those connected to this illegal luggage, he said. CSP Bugingo thanked the resident who provided information, attributing it to the increased awareness and partnership with the public in fighting fraud and drug trafficking. “The general public plays the biggest part in this effort. On many occasions, successful operations are facilitated by the people through instant information sharing, which informs our next course of action,” he said. “We have increased awareness campaigns, especially in border communities on their role in fighting drug trafficking and fraud; mapped-out major routes used and intensified operations – snap-checks and roadblocks.” This, he noted, should serve as a warning to all those that are still involved in illegal businesses. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
