Rwanda National Police

At least 400 cartons of assorted illicit gin were seized in a Police operation conducted on November 4, in Musanze District, Muhoza Sector in Mpenge Cell.

The contrabands were recovered from the shop of one Mourice Ndindiriyimana, 30, the prime suspect, who was also taken into custody.

The seized gins include Coffee waragi, Kitoko, Blue sky, chase waragi, living waragi and African gin as well as cartons of plastic bags. The contrabands are classified as narcotic drugs in Rwanda.

Also confiscated are about 20 bottles of smuggled liquors including V&A, Uganda Waragi and Bond 7.

 “The illegal goods were recovered from Ndindiriyimana’s shop following a tip-off from a resident privy to his illegal dealings,” Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, said.

“He is a suspected drug trafficker and smuggler… it was just a matter of time before he’s arrested,” CIP Rugigana said.

“We have strengthened operations, which are largely facilitated by members of the public through information sharing. A number of drug traffickers and smugglers majority using Cyanika-Musanze axis have been arrested,” the spokesperson said.

Cyanika is in Burera one of the districts mapped as major transit routes for drug traffickers and smugglers.

Residents have since established anti-drugs clubs in all sectors to reinforce the Rwanda National Police (RNP) and national efforts against the vice.

“The efforts by the residents are paying off; we are seeing increased flow of information from the people. The ideology of community policing is playing a vital part in identifying and arresting dealers,” CIP Rugigana said.