Rwanda National Police

Five people were on Friday night arrested in Ngoma and Kayonza Districts in connection with distributing and consuming of narcotics.

The suspects were apprehended separately in different police operations.

Police identified the suspects as Jean Pierre  Nzabahimana, Jean de Dieu Nsabimana, Elias Shyirambere,  Jean Paul Twagirimana all arrested in Ngoma, and Faustin Kayiranga, 26 arrested in Kayonza.

In Ngoma, the quartet was found in possession of 20 litres of banned gin commonly known as Kanyanga and 320 pellets of cannabis.

They are currently held at Zaza and Remera Police stations.

Kayiranga, on the other hand, was caught with one kilogramme of cannabis at the time of his arrest in Mukarange Sector.

Reacting to the arrests, the Eastern Region Police spokesperson, Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi, said that although investigations are still going on, the arrest of the five suspects was due to the existing partnership with the public, who provided police with the information.

“The public is informed about the effects and insecurities that arise from abuse of drugs that’s why they report them but we have to keep educating them to ensure that even those dealing in distribution or consumption give up the bad and illegal habits,” said Kayigi.

He outlined crimes that are commonly committed by people who are under the influence of drugs; among them include robbery, domestic violence, rape and defilement.

“We urge the public to always report to us anyone suspected of consuming or distributing narcotics, that’s the partnership we need with the public to keep our communities safe,” said Kayigi.

The five suspect risk a jail sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to Rwf5 million as per article 594 of the penal code.