The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has arrested three men found transporting 20 kilograms of elephant tusks from the Democratic Republic of Congo in a Burera District government vehicle. The seizure occurred in Kigali on October 17, 2025, as the suspects were preparing to hand over the tusks to an overseas buyer.
According to RIB, one of the suspects was a driver employed by Burera District, while another acted as a commission agent in the illegal ivory trade. The third suspect physically moved the tusks, claiming he did so merely to earn a living and was not normally involved in ivory trafficking.
“The use of Rwanda as a transit point for illegal goods, including ivory, is rare thanks to strong countermeasures,” said RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira Thierry. “Anyone caught attempting such activities will face legal consequences. We urge the public to steer clear of these crimes.”
Under Article 58 of Rwanda’s environmental law, anyone who hunts, sells, transports, or kills an animal with tusks faces a prison term of 5 to 7 years and a fine ranging from Rwf 5 million to Rwf 7 million.
All three suspects are currently held at the RIB Rusororo station in Gasabo District while their case is being processed for submission to the Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities continue to seek the individual who was to receive the tusks in Asia.
