Rwanda National Police

Four suspected drug traffickers were arrested in Rubavu and Burera districts in ongoing Police operations against dealers.

Judaida Mukasekuru, Jean Luc Niyonzima and Callixte Kalimunda were arrested on January 21 in Kavumu Sector with 25 kilogrammes of cannabis.

The fourth suspect; Jacques Niyongabo was arrested in Burera with 125 dozens of contrabands in different brands including sky brew, Chasse Vodka and Coffee Spirit.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Eulade Gakwaya, the police spokesperson for the Western region, said that operations and awareness against illicit drugs are continuous.

“The region lies in the strategic location for drug traffickers from the neighboring countries, and that requires continuous operations, conducting snap-checks and increased community awareness through which we get feedback on dealers, which informs successful operations to arrest them and seize narcotics,” CIP Gakwaya said.

Drug abuse is said to be one of the obstacles affecting youth development in the country and leading to school dropouts, fueling family conflicts and gender violence.

Rwanda National Police (RNP) is currently actively engaged in countrywide awareness against the vice, both to break chains of supply and the market.

So far, RNP in partnership with the ministries of Health, Youth and Local Government, has held separate meetings with local leaders, different youth groups, heads of hospitality facilities and faith-based organizations to ensure collective understanding and response against trafficking, selling, making and consuming illicit drugs.