Rwandan police warn dealers of skin-bleaching products and plastic bags
Three suspects caught with skin-bleaching creams and cartons of plastic bags were paraded before the media in front of their illegal wares at the Police Metropolitan Headquarters in Kigali.
CAPE TOWN, June 11 (ANA) – The Rwanda National Police (RNP) has cracked down on dealers of skin-bleaching products and plastic bags with the help of the country’s citizens.
The police reiterated the seriousness of dealing in skin-bleaching products and plastic bags after targeted operations by the RNP resulted in the arrest of three people, according to the RNP’s statement released on Thursday.
Samuel Twagiramungu and Fidele Mugesera, both aged 40, were arrested in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, with more than 150 skin-bleaching creams.
Clementine Ahishakiye, 27, was arrested north of Kigali with 27 cartons of plastic bags.
Commissioner of police and spokesperson for the RNP, John Bosco Kabera, said: “We have talked about the dangers of skin-bleaching creams and oils to the users as explained by medical experts and the laws and regulations in Rwanda. It is the same with polythene bags, which pose danger to the ecosystem. Those who have kept blind eyes will be arrested to face the law.”
Kabera thanked citizens for sharing the information, as the arrests came about due to strong collaboration between authorities and Rwandans.
The three were paraded before the media in front of their illegal products at the Police Metropolitan Headquarters in Kigali on Thursday.
Rwanda has been lauded for its protection of the environment, being one of the first countries in the world to ban plastic bags since the law was implemented in 2008, while other countries simply taxed them, according to Visit Rwanda and Global Citizen.
The ban on plastic is said to have boosted the landlocked country’s economy.
Those found guilty of importing plastic bags are liable to an administrative fine equivalent to 10 times the value of the plastic bags imported, the RNP statement read.
Furthermore, a fine of US$697 is issued to wholesalers of plastic bags, and US$298 to retailers of plastic bags.
According to Rwandan law on skin-bleaching products, “any person who produces, sells or prescribes a drug; harmful products; cosmetics, body hygiene substances or any other products derived from plants; commits an offence”.
Once convicted, the perpetrators will face one to two years’ imprisonment, in addition to a fine of between US$2,984 and US$4,972.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
