Rwanda National Police

Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, including 43kgs and 14,403 pellets of cannabis, rolls of heroin and cocaine were disposed of at Nduba landfill in Gasabo District, on Wednesday, November 15.

These are some of illicit drugs seized from dealers, who were arrested in separate operations conducted in City of Kigali.

Other substances destroyed include over 625 litres of kanyanga, a crude gin, 3,069 litres of locally produced illicit brew, quantities of hazardous products such as fertilizers that were being used to distill illicit drinks; and 100 jerrycans of substandard cooking oil.

The public destruction exercise was witnessed by the Police and other security organs, prosecution and local leaders.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Sylvestre Twajamahoro, the Police spokesperson in Kigali, commended the impact of the public in succesful operations against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

"These successful operations were conducted in collaboration with local leaders and the people, through credible information sharing," SP Twajamahoro said.

Those arrested in the operations against drugs, he added, are in courts of law.

"This is a warning to anyone still engaged in trafficking, producing, distributing and retailing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. Operations are high and remember penalties are also severe. 

No one should allow drug dealers to operate in their neighborhoods; report anyone you suspect to be involved in these criminal acts, which affect especially the young people, who are the majority victims, and impede youth development," said SP Twajamahoro.

Cannabis, heroin and cocaine are classified as very severe narcotic drug in Rwanda.

Anyone convicted for dealing in severe narcotic drugs faces a sentence of between 20 years and life imprisonment, and a fine of between Frw20 million and Frw30 million, under article 263 of the law determining offences and penalties in general.

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