Rwanda National Police

Assorted illicit gin valued at about Rwf5.2 million were disposed of in Gatsibo District, on June 3.

The destruction exercise held in Kiramuruzi Sector was witnessed by the mayor of Gatsibo, Richard Gasana, the District Police Commander, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Jean Baptiste Bucyangenda, prosecution, Rwanda Investigation Bureau as well as hundreds of local residents.

The disposed of substances include 12446 sachets of Zebra Gin, 2097 bottles of assorted illicit drinks, and plastic bags.

Mayor Gasana urged residents of Kiramuruzi to create legal job rather than engaging in illicit businesses.

“These illicit drinks pose ill-effects to users but also a criminal act that leads to long term imprisonment," Gasana told the residents.

He appealed to them to work closely with security organs to identity and arrest anyone involved in these criminal activities.

The mayor also reminded grassroots leaders to be at the task as heads of community policing to work with the people in fighting and preventing crimes.

The DPC, CIP Bucyangenda said that the disposed of illicit drinks were seized in separate operations conducted in the last three months.

He commended the role of the residents in successful operations and arresting dealers, through credible information sharing.

"These illicit drinks destroy your children, the young people; we need to work together to address the problem collectively," the DPC told the residents.

The prosecutor of Gatsibo and Nyagatare, Augustine Rusanganwa reminded the residents of the legal repercussion of trafficking, making, selling and abusing illicit drugs.

Consuming illicit drinks is punishable with an imprisonment of up to two years while trafficking and selling them attracts a jail term of up to 20 years.