Police at Kigali international Airport arrested two Chinese nationals on Saturday with 2.5 kilogrammes of ivory.
Yang Xiaojuna and Wel Guiwang were intercepted as they tried to go through the check point at about 2:45pm.
They are currently detained at Kicukiro Police station as investigations continue.
Superintendent Modeste Mbabazi, Police spokesperson central said the ivory was found cut into 32 small pieces and concealed in a tin.
“The tin, which was also concealed in their luggage was detected by a scanner at the check-point,” Supt. Mbabazi said.
The duo, who work with the Bugarama-based cement factory, Cemerwa in the Western Province were headed back to China and were to board Ethiopian airline.
“The suspects also tried to bribe a Police officer at the airport with US$85 and 100 Chinese yuan to secure their gate-pass but the officer refused and arrested them,” he added.
He added: “Corruption is a taboo in Rwanda and in Rwanda National Police in particular. We will not hesitate to arrest anyone who tries to bribe in order to continue with an illegal act, be it Rwandan or non Rwandan. We call upon everyone to join this campaign against such illegal acts which have ill-effects on the economy.”
It is suspected that they had smuggled the ivory from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We have good scanners at the airport that can detect all illegal things.”
RNP
UM– USEKE.RW
