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Kinyarwanda
The districts of Burera and Gicumbi, on December 20, conducted a mass exercise to dispose of contrabands valued at over Rwf15.6 million.
The public destruction exercise held separately in each of the 38 sectors of the two districts came on the heels of increased crackdown on drug traffickers to break chains of supply.
According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alex Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, th psychotropic substances were seized from traffickers in operations conducted in the last two months.
At least substances valued at Rwf6.9 million were seized in Gicumbi and others estimated at Rwf8.7 million in Burera.
Crude gin locally known as Kanyanga, Blue Sky, Zebra waragi, Chief Waragi and cannabis constitute the majority of the seized and disposed of drugs.
"Gicumbi and Burera are the main trafficking routes in this region, and that's why the Police and partners increased operations in these districts targeting mainly suppliers but also empowering the people through sensitization to fight this vice by reporting dealers," CIP Rugigana said.
While addressing residents of Cyanika shortly after destroying the substances, the District Police Commander for Burera, CIP Cyprien Murenzi commended them for being at the forefront in combating the scourge.
"We arrested many people behind trafficking of these illicit drugs because you gave us the information on who they're; we're still counting on you because it's also your duty," CIP Murenzi said.
Residents of Burera and Gicumbi formed an anti-drugs club in each of the 38 sectors.
These clubs composed of the majority former drug dealers, have been instrumental in identifying traffickers, according to Police.
"We need to continue sharing information on drug dealers to save the young people... your children from becoming victims because they are the market," the DPC said.
About 70 percent of drug dealers, abusers and addicts are the young people aged between 18 and 35 years, according to statistics.
The law against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances was also revised with a penalty for those labelled as big dealers ranging between 25 years and life in prison, under article 263 of the new penal code.
