Rwanda National Police

Over 30kgs of cannabis and 476 litres of illicit gin commonly known as Kanyanga seized from traffickers and local dealers in Burera District, were disposed of on Friday, April 9.

The narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were seized in separate Rwanda National Police (RNP) operations conducted in the last three months.

The public destruction exercise was held in Kinihira Village, Bungwe Cell of Bungwe Sector and witnessed by RNP, RIB, local leaders and residents.

The acting District Police Commander (DPC) for Burera, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Callixte Kayitana, said the "majority traffickers and local dealers were arrested during the operations."

"During these operations, we arrested 48 people with narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances but other traffickers escaped back to Uganda where they get the drugs and sneak them into Rwanda through porous borders," said CIP Kayitana.

He commended the role of residents especially those residing on the borderline, who share information on dealers and trafficking routes.

CIP Callixte Kayitana warned of continued operations against drug traffickers and appealed to residents to strengthen the fight through information sharing on individuals and groups involved.

Cannabis and assorted illicit gin including kanyanga and others packed in banned polythene bags are the most common trafficked drugs seized in Burera.

Cannabis is classified as a "very severe narcotic drug" under the Ministerial order nº 001/moh/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation while all other illicit drinks are listed as "simple drugs."

Anyone convicted for "simple drugs" under article 263 of the law determining offenses and penalties in general, faces between seven and ten years in prison and a fine of Frw5 million to Frw10 million.

In case of "very severe drugs", the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million.