Police, on Monday, arrested two people in Kigali after they were found with a counterfeit currency making machine and chemicals used to make fake notes.

Laurent Ruzindana, who is in his late 20s, and Athanase Matabaro, 23, were arrested at Kinamba following a tipoff from a local businessman they had tried to woo into their business, police said.

The duo was also found with a bundle of microfilm papers used to make fake US dollars worth $100,000.

"After the tipoff, our officers were able to follow the lead and arrested the two suspects,” Police Spokesperson, Supt. Eric Kayiranga said.

Ruzindana, a resident of Ruhuha in Bugesera District, who also works as a special hire taxi driver in Kigali, is said to have informed Matabaro, also from Bugesera, a bread dealer in Nyabugogo, about the illegal dealings. Matabaro reportedly connected Ruzindana to the former’s employer, Elias Mugabo, the owner of Fresh Oval Bakery in Kanombe.

It is further alleged that Ruzindana wanted Mugabo to fund his deal by buying him microfilm papers used in making fake currencies.

Kayiranga said, the suspicious Mugabo then informed the police and the two men were later arrested as they tried to print the money.

Ruzindana said that he acquired the machine from South Africa for Rwf 18m six months ago, as he returned to Rwanda, after spending some time in the Southern Africa nation as a domestic worker.

The two face charges of counterfeit and fraud, with a possible jail term between five to 20 years if convicted, and a fine ranging between Rwf 50,000 to Rwf 200,000.

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