Rwanda National Police

Rwandans have been called upon to stand up against making and consumption of harmful illicit brew by pointing a finger at individuals involved.

The call was made on Thursday in Bugesera district by various officials during a public exercise to destroy about 4, 500 litres of a locally made illicit brew called molasses, made out of mixed sugarcane residues and bricks among others.

Those destroyed in an event held in Nyamata sector also include 420 litres of Kanyanga, a banned gin and about 6 kilogrammes of cannabis.

The destroyed illicit drinks were seized in various parts of the district in Police operations facilitated by members of the public, in which 40 pipes used in distilling Kanyanga and about five tons of a local plant called Kabaruka cut illegally, were also impounded.

The district Mayor Louis Rwagaju, while speaking at the public destruction event, appealed to hundreds of area residents who turned up, to leave no room for the sell of such dangerous products.

“If everyone here today decided to fight these illicit drugs, I am optimistic we can get rid of them even in few months. You have the abilities all you have to do is to develop that will to report your neighbor who is involved in such illegal business and continuing to cause insecurity to your community,” said Rwagaju.

“Those consuming them are your children, husband or wife and you understand, in one way or another, these people will cause domestic problems; husbands will spend domestic incomes drinking these illicit brew, children are likely to become addicts and drop out of school and resort to community gangs and stealing, and all this will create a family conflict and community disorder; so let’s together give Police an active hand in the campaign against crimes and drugs abuse in particular,” he added.

He urged them not to waste themselves and enjoy responsibly in this festive season, refrain from any illegal acts and strengthen community night patrols.

The District Police Commander Supt. Richard Rubagumya commended Bugesera residents for their continued partnership in crime prevention which he said led to the seizure of the destroyed drugs

“These drugs were seized in the last four month and we arrested all those involved with some of them already prosecuted while others are still going through judicial process. We will not tire until all Rwandans understand that what they are doing in wrong and we are fighting it for their benefits,” Supt. Rubagumya said.

“Fighting trade and consumption of drugs remains among Police’s top priorities. We will not lessen until all those still involved are apprehended and brought to book,” he said.

In a related development, Police on the same day intercepted a vehicle loaded with about 2080 litres of molasses, along Kigali-Nyamata road, and apprehended three people said to be connected to this criminal business.