Rwanda National Police

Community Policing efforts in Nyagatare District led to the seizure of assorted illicit gin, including 66 boxes of African gin, 64 boxes of Zebra waragi and 163 litres of kanyanga.

Others include cannabis, Soft Gin and locally distilled illicit brew

The assorted illicit drugs were impounded from suspected dealers in separate Police operations conducted in the last two months in Nyagatare.

The illicit drugs were disposed of on Tuesday in community meetings locally known as Umugoroba w'ababyeyi, which brings together parents and elders to discuss security and development matters in their localities.

The District Police Commander for Nyagatare, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Claude Bizimana said that the illicit drugs were seized in the five sectors of Karangazi, Rwempasha, Matimba, Tabagwe and Kiyombe.

"These narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances were seized due to information we received from residents, and majority of the traffickers and local retailers were also arrested," SSP Bizimana said.

He added: " Destroying them in presence of local residents is an opportunity to appreciate their efforts and to urge them to maintain the community policing spirit in breaking chains of supply."

"It is also an opportunity to enlighten the residents on side effects of abusing drugs, legal and economic repercussions, and their lead role in  identifying and reporting suspected drug dealers and wrongdoers in general."

The crime of dealing in narcotic drugs is punishable with a sentence of up to life in prison as stipulated under article 263 of the penal code.

While addressing parents and elders in Umugoroba w'ababyeyi in Rwempasha, the sector executive secretary, John Ngoga urged them to take the central role in security matters in their communities by reporting people they suspect to be engaged in unlawful activities, to Police.

Nyagatare is mapped as one of the transit routes and destination especially for assorted illicit gin like kanyanga and other brands packed in banned non-biodegradable plastic bags.