The Revenue Protection Department intercepted a vehicle in Rusizi District loaded with goods that were being smuggled into the country from Burundi. The truck was intercepted on Bugarama-Rusizi road loaded with boxes of cigarettes. Two people have so far been arrested in connection with the illegal act. They are currently detained at Kamembe Police Station as investigations continue. Police investigations indicate that the goods were smuggled into the country through a porous border in Rusizi District. The suspects were evading taxes amounting to more than Rwf1.5 million, according to investigations. Francis Gahima, the Western Region Police spokesperson, said: “This is an illegal act that has negative impact on the economy and which can bring harmful products into Rwanda’s market,” Gahima said. He warned of severe consequences to whoever will be caught in such illegal acts. “We have stringent measures in place to arrest anyone involved in such acts,” he added, calling upon the public to report individuals connected to smuggling. The Revenue Protection Department is a Rwanda National Police unit attached to Rwanda Revenue Authority to help the tax body in preventing, detecting and investigating cases related to tax evasion and smuggling.
