Police in Nyabihu District have seized 70 cartons of fake body lotion and 1,800 pellets of cannabis as operations against illicit products continue. The banned body lotion and cannabis were discovered on April 11 in Kora Cell, Bigogwe Sector, in a house belonging to one Emerithe Uwimana, according to Police. Uwimana is still in hiding. However, her suspected accomplice, Françoise Nyirarukundo, was arrested at the house, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend all those involved in this illegal business, Police said. Police Spokesperson for Western Region Inspector of Police Théobard Kanamugire urged the public to fight such products and drug abuse, noting that their use and consumption pose health hazards to users. “The suspects were dealing in counterfeit products and at the same time trading narcotics which are illegal businesses. Although there are people still involved, we are glad that most Rwandans have owned this (anti-drugs) campaign and that’s why you see the majority of suspected criminals have been apprehended based on credible information the public provide us with,” he said. He called upon residents to partner with Police more through the provision of timely information to facilitate operations and investigations against illicit drugs and counterfeit products. Several Interpol-backed operations have been conducted jointly with traders, in the recent past in which counterfeit goods, including foods and beverages, electronics and cosmetics have been seized. He advised businesses to desist from dealing in such illegal goods which threaten lives of users and instead deal in legally accepted products that guarantee public health. Article 593 and 594 prohibit the growing, selling, transportation and consumption of narcotic drugs with a term of imprisonment between three and five years and a fine of between Rwf500,000 and Rwf5 million, or both.
