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Kinyarwanda
Police in Nyagatare District, yesterday intercepted 19 cartons of Zebra, a banned gin in Rwanda, normally produced from Uganda
The cartons were at the time being transported on two commercial motorcycles before riders abandoned them when they noticed Police, Inspector of Police Emmanuel Kayigi, spokesperson for the Eastern region, said.
“The motorcycle registration number RC 869Z was intercepted in Karangazi Cell in Karangazi Sector with 16 cartons while another motorcycle plate number RB 182C was intercepted in Rukomo Sector with three cartons,” IP Kayigi said.
“The motorcycles were also impounded as we still search for owners and individuals that were trafficking the gin in particular,” he added.
"Zebra, like other gin such as chief Warage, were banned and are considered as illegal substance in Rwanda. Whoever sells or abuses the substance violates the law and will be penalised once caught,” he further warned.
Growing, making, selling, transforming, transporting, storing and consumption of narcotic drugs and illicit substance is prohibited and punishable by law in Rwanda.
The law governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in Rwanda, in its Article 24, also states that “any drink that exceeds forty five percent of alcohol and any other drink which doesn’t have the required quality for consumption shall be considered as narcotic drug.”
Under article 594 of the penal code, any person who, unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5 million.
