On 25 April 2019, Rwanda National Police Anti-Narcotics Unit officers working with district stations arrested two suspected members of one drug trafficking ring in coordinated operations in Rubavu and Nyarugenge districts.[1][2] Charlene Bazihira, 19, was tracked and arrested in Gasutamo Village, Mbugangali Cell, Gisenyi Sector at about 1:30pm just after crossing into Rwanda from the Democratic Republic of Congo with 1,230 pellets of cannabis.[1][2] Police said she worked for Evelyne Uwineza, who ran a narcotics business from Buhoro Village, Matabaro Cell, Kimisagara Sector in Nyarugenge, and arrested Uwineza later the same day.[1][2]
In a separate Rubavu operation officers recovered ten bales of cannabis weighing over 125 kg, though the owners escaped arrest.[1][2] Western region spokesperson CIP Innocent Gasasira said the fugitive owners were known and would be traced to face the law.[1][2] He described Rubavu as a major trafficking route and credited information-sharing with residents for breaking the supply chain.[1][2]
