Rwanda National Police

Police and local authorities in the Eastern Province have called upon residents to stand up against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

The call follows separate operations and awareness campaigns on Sunday in Ngoma, Kayonza and Kirehe districts where drug dealers were arrested with assorted contrabands.

Suspects were caught with cannabis, illicit gin and other locally made illicit substances with different names.

One of the suspects arrested in Ngoma was at the time found distilling crude gin locally known as Kanyanga while the suspect caught in Kayonza was found with quantities of cannabis.

The suspect arrested in Kirehe was found with 300 litres of Ibikwangari, which is made out harmful raw materials such as sugarcane residues, burned bricks, organic fertilizers and water, among others.

The seized substances were publicly disposed of at an occasion during which local residents were enlightened on dangers of consuming the said substances as well as legal repercussions.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for Eastern region called for strengthened efforts against sell and consumption of such “hazardous substances.”

“Fighting trade and consumption of such illicit drugs remains among Police’s top priorities. We will not lessen until all those involved are apprehended. We call upon the public to understand and join the efforts against this vice,” CIP Twizeyimana said.

“We are seeing a downward trend in such related crimes, but our target is to have a society that is free of illicit drugs and psychotropic substances; the general public’s role is paramount in reporting those individuals who are still involved,” he added.

CIP Twizeyimana reminded the general public that dealing in drugs is a “serious crime with dire consequences.”

Article 263 of the penal code states that, “Any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence.”

Upon conviction, he or she is liable to a term of imprisonment between seven years and life and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.