Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police had seized over 4300 sachets Chief Waragi, a banned gin in Rwanda in an ongoing operations against drug dealings and warned of severe consequences to those involved.

The illicit gin was seized  on March 27 following a successful operation in Rulindo District in which a suspected trafficker was also apprehended.

The suspect, Asuman Habanabakize, 32, was arrested in Ntarabana Sector after Police found the sachets concealed in the car he was driving at the time.

The information that led to his arrest and subsequent seizure of the banned gin was provided by residents in the area, Police said, commending the great role of the general public in the fight against illicit drugs in the country.

“Through community policing, the public have been very helpful in coming forward with credible information that leads to the arrest of drugs traffickers and manufacturers of illicit brew. This cooperation should continue in order to foster law and order,” Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) André Hakizimana, Police Spokesperson for Northern Province, said.

“The fight against illicit products and drug abuse requires collective effort and partnership in order to safeguard our society and protect the future of the youth."

In a bid to fight and prevent the manufacture, trade and consumption of illicit drugs and narcotics, Rwanda National Police (RNP) conducts countrywide campaigns aimed at raising awareness against the vice that is rated high among the youth.

Recently, a campaign launched in Kirehe district dubbed "Turning Back Drugs to Protect the Youth" led to the arrest of several suspects, as well as testimonies from reformed drug dealers who warned the youth against engaging in the regrettable acts of drug abuse and dealing.

Besides constantly sensitizing masses throughout the country, RNP has ensured day and night patrols and monitor the borderlines against any criminals that plan to smuggle drugs into Rwanda.

Through RNP's vigilance, unrelenting intelligence, coupled with professional cooperation with the public through community policing, successful anti-narcotics operations have been conducted throughout the country.

The force continuously engages in breaking the supply chain of illegal drugs and illicit brew by mapping-out individuals and groups involved in this crime, which has led to the arrest hundreds of dealers, most of whom have been prosecuted and drugs such as cannabis and illicit brews seized and destroyed.

Awareness programmes in communities, on radios and during special occasions like ‘community policing and Police Week’ have also helped to enforce the law and to make the public understand the negative effects of drug abuse.

Growing, selling, transformation, transportation, storage and consumption of narcotic drugs are prohibited under article 593 and punishable, under article 594, with a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5 million.

Article 24 of the law on narcotics, 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.”