Rwanda National Police

Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances including 247,700 litres of kanyanga, a crude illicit gin seized in separate Police operations in Huye District, were disposed of on Wednesday, September 29.

Also disposed of are over 25kgs and 806 pellets of cannabis, and 14 pellets of heroine.

The narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were impounded from traffickers and dealers in the sectors of Tumba, Ngoma and Gishamvu, in the past one year.

The public destruction exercise was held in Bukinanyana Village, Butare Cell of Ngoma Sector and witnessed by local leaders, security organs, RIB, prosecution and areas residents.

Ange Sebutege, the Mayor of Huye District reminded the residents on the consequences of abusing and dealing in drugs, to health and economy.

?Drug dealers invest in poisoning especially the young people but also wasting money when these substances are seized and destroyed without forgeting the life wasted having to spend many years in prison," Sebutege told the residents.

He urged them to engage in productive and legal businesses, and share information with the police on drug dealers operating in their communities.

The District Police Commander (DPC) for Huye, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jean Bosco Kagenza, said that the operations were successful due to partnership and credible information from residents.

?The majority dealers were arrested and handed over to RIB. Thank you for your community policing role in fighting drugs, maintain the spirit and report anyone you suspect to be drug dealers or wrongdoers."

Prosecutor Oscar Mukamirwa emphasized on the legal provisions for anyone engaged in drug related crimes.

?Penalties for drug related crimes were increased to life imprisonment, the reason why you should think twice before you involve in these criminal activities," Mukamirwa said.


Cannabis and heroine are classified as "very severe narcotic drugs" under the Ministerial order n? 001/moh/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation while illicit drinks are listed as "simple drugs."

Article 263 of law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.

Upon conviction for "simple drugs" the offender faces between seven and ten years in prison and a fine of Frw5 million to Frw10 million.

In case of "very severe drugs", the offender faces between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million.