English
Kinyarwanda
Assorted narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and expired products seized in various Police operations in Ruhango District, were destroyed on Thursday, January 12.
The disposed of products include 6,377 litres of Kanyanga, an illicit gin, over 25, 000 pellets of cannabis, 6,329 bottles of illicit brew, 4,980 bottles of expired juice, 460,000 pieces of plastic bags and 158 pieces of outlawed skin bleaching creams.
They were seized in separate security operations conducted in Ruhango District since September last year.
The public destruction was held in Gataka Village, Nyamagana Cell of Ruhango Sector and witnessed by hundreds of residents, the majority students, Police and members of other security organs, prosecution and local authorities.
The vice mayor of Ruhango District in charge of economic development, Jean Marie Vianney Rusiribana said that such criminal activities affect family development and the country in general.
He added that money that should be invested in development activities is instead wasted in such criminal businesses.
"One of the major resources that our country has are its people, but drug dealers are destroying especially the young and future leaders.
When you abuse drugs, you are poisoning your brains and drugging your future," Rusiribana told hundreds of students and local residents.
He encouraged them to continue working with security organs against drug dealers to break trafficking and supplying chains.
"When we put efforts together and be an eye and ears for one another in our neighborhoods, drug dealers will have no place to operate and hide," said Rusiribana.
The acting District Police Commander, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) John Muhirwa thanked the residents for their impact in fighting criminal activities such as drug dealers, smugglers of plastic bags and skin bleaching products.
At least 13 people, the DPC said, were arrested during the operations, including major suppliers of cannabis, Kanyanga and polythene bags.
"Narcotic drugs of any kind and how you use them, either by smoking, inhaling or by injection, it will affect your health and life. If you think that dealing in drugs and other unlawful businesses will change your life; think twice because it will only destroy your life with long term imprisonment," CIP Muhirwa said.
He advised especially the young people to refrain from abusing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances and to report anyone that tries to engage them in such high impact crimes.
Bosco Muhayimana, the chief prosecutor at Ruhango intermediate court, said that some of those arrested are already serving their prison sentences.
"Trafficking and selling narcotic drugs is a serious crime, with up to life imprisonment. Equally, selling plastic bags, illicit drinks like Kanyanga and other locally made brew produced without complying with the standards, and the banned skin whitening products, is punishable by law. Distance yourselves from any unlawful acts and work with security organs to ensure safety and security," Muhayimana said.
