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Rwanda National Police

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HUYE: Police, local leaders in operations against illicit brew

Joint operations by Rwanda National Police (RNP) and local authorities in Huye District against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances conducted on Wednesday, May 4, seized over 1400 litres of illicit brew called 'Muriture.'

The locally made illicit drinks were seized from six distillers in Rukira Cell, Huye Sector. The producers and suppliers were also arrested.

They include one Jean Pierre Havugimana alias General, 32, who wqs caught with 800 litres of muriture and 150kg of sugar he was using to distill the illicit brew.

One Vestine Murekatete, 30, was found with 210 litres; Theogene Nshimiyimana, 32, had 95 litres; other 140 litres were recovered from Matilde Mukamusonera, 61; Anisia Mukarurangwa, 53, had 140 litres; while Christine Nyiraminani, 34, was found in possession of 20 litres.

The Southern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, said the operations conducted with local leaders were meant to break production and supply chains.

"These are continuous operations, which are largely facilitated by credible information Police receives from the public. The aim is to dismantle production plants as a way of breaking the supply chains. Some people think that this is a simple offence but consequences are severe," SP Kanamugire warned.

All alcoholic drinks produced without complying with standards and other laws are classified as 'simple narcotic drugs' under article 5 of the Ministerial Order No.001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorization.

Under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, anyone convicted for dealing in "simple narcotic drugs" faces between seven and ten years in prison and a fine of between Frw5 million and Frw10 million.