Rwanda National Police

At least four people including two women were arrested while some 1186 pellets of cannabis and 20 liters of illicit brew were seized in Police operations conducted on Friday.

The suspects were identified as Shyaka Omar, Emmnuel Ntirenganya, Josephine Mukoro and Vestine Uwituje, who were apprehended in separate successful operations conducted in Gasabo, Karongi, Nyarugenge and Rulindo Districts.

Central Region Police Spokesperson, Superintendent Mbabazi Modeste, said that the fight against drugs smuggling and abuse has largely been successful due to critical sharing of information with the public through the aspect of community policing.

“Drug trade and abuse can never be tolerated in Rwanda and Police is at the helm of eradicating the scourge. Such illegal acts negatively impacts one's health and society, therefore, citizens are called to collaborate with Police through sharing timely information that can help in this fight,” Superintendent Mbabazi said.

Article 594 of the Rwandan Penal Code also states that, any person who, unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of between Rwf500,000 and Rwf5m.

Police continues its campaigns and operations throughout each year to tackle the scourge of drug abuse.

Just yesterday, a 45-year-old Kenyan woman was arrested at Kigali International Airport in possession of 2.5 kilogrammes of cocaine estimated to be worth Rwf85 million.

Last year, Police intercepted four transnational drug traffickers who were in transit at Kigali International Airport with a total of 8.5 kilograms of cocaine valued at Rwf299 million.