National Agriculture Export Development Board (NAEB) in collaboration with Police and Rwanda Revenue Authority tax enforcement unit have impounded a Fuso truck carrying smuggled coffee in Cyanika, Burera District on Rwanda/Uganda boarder. 

Dr Celestin Gatarayiha, the coffee division manager at NAEB, said the van carrying over 10 tonnes of coffee worth Rwf9.5 million, was intercepted on Friday by NAEB’s surveillance team and enforcement agencies in Cyanika.

Gatarayiha identified the culprits as Falicien Kabuga, the owner of the van and a big coffee dealer in Cyanika, and Alex Sindahiba, the driver.

He said NAEB’s enforcement team has been closely monitoring the businessman and his truck for a long time before they finally apprehended him.

"Businesspeople, especially those dealing in coffee trade, should avoid such illegal practices and use the right channel to succeed in their endeavours.

"Otherwise, when you are caught, we deal with you according to the law,” he told reporters yesterday at NAEB offices.

He said the coffee will be auctioned as punishment to the culprits.

Gatarayiha said Kabuga claimed he was ferrying the coffee for a friend in Ruhango, denying that he was smuggling it to Uganda.

business@newtimes.co.rw