Rwanda National Police

Five people, three of them women were apprehended by Police in Gicumbi district, yesterday after they were found trafficking banned gin into the country.

The suspects were apprehended as they crossed into Rwanda from Uganda through an illegal border in Gishali cell of Rubaya sector.

Police also recovered from the suspects 160 litres of Kanyanga, eight cartons of Zebra Gin, three cartons of Click Gin, all banned in Rwanda.

Police in Gicumbi said the suspects were apprehended after they were reported by communities residing at the border.

Meanwhile, the Revenue Protection Department, on the same day, intercepted a Fuso truck registration number RAC 720F, in Gatsibo district, carrying 120 boxes of Chief Waragi and 100 litres of Kanyanga.

The intercepted liquor is among alcoholic drinks classified as narcotic drugs in Rwanda under the law governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors, especially in its article 24.

It stipulates that any drink that exceeds 45 percent of alcohol and any other drink which does not have the required quality for consumption is considered as narcotic drug.

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 Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5m.

Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi, Police Spokesperson for the Eastern region appealed to the public to strengthen cooperation with Police to combat the sell and consumption of illicit drugs in the country.

“The driver of the truck tried to speed off when he was stopped at a checkpoint, but he parked it few metres a way and run away. We are working together with Rwanda Revenue Authority to identify the owner of the truck which will also facilitate investigations to apprehend also those connected to this illegal business,” IP Kayigi said.

He also advised vehicle owners to always follow the operations of their cars adding that some drivers use them in illegal activities without the knowledge of their bosses.