Police impound counterfeit goods in Kigali shops

Police have impounded illicit and counterfeit goods worth Rwf14.5 million and arrested three people in connection with the goods. The goods, impounded from various shops in Kigali, include 170 boxes of printer toners, bed nets, drugs, computer sets, drinks, body oil, among others. The products were seized during an operation dubbed, “Fagia” (swahili for ‘sweeping’) carried out last week concurrently in 13 regional countries that make EAPCCO (Easter African Police Chiefs’ Corporation Organisation), according to ACP Tony Kuramba, the commissioner of Interpol Rwanda. The operation, launched in June in Kigali, was conducted in collaboration with different institutions and brand owners, including Rwanda Standards Board, Private Sector Federation, East African Breweries Company, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Health, among others. Health officials said bed nets and family planning medicine not meant for sale were found in private pharmacies, some smuggled into the country from Uganda. Philippe Nzayire, the director for quality assurance at Rwanda Standards Board, said illicit drugs and counterfeit body oil were some of the causes of skin cancer and other diseases. He said some traders get certification but later use it to mix genuine goods with illicit products. Also impounded were 98 crates of banana wine on sale bearing false seal of East African Breweries Company Limited, and 68 sachets of another form of wine with brand name Vin De Tangawizi. Kuramba said substandard goods like electrical cables and construction materials can lead to fire outbreaks and building collapse. He said counterfeit goods affect fair business competition since traders with fake goods sell them cheaply. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Police impound counterfeit goods in Kigali shops