Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) said operations against traffickers and dealers in narcotic drugs “will not wither” and commended the role of the general public in combating the vice.

Police said credible information from the public has facilitated in mapping out trafficking routes, names of drug dealers and possible stores as well as successful operations.

The warning follows an incident in Ruhango District where people distilling illicit gin attacked Police officers and local leaders, who had responded to information about their criminal dealings.

“At about 4am on Friday, Police responded to phone calls from residents and local leaders in Bwiza Village, Munini Cell in Ruhango Sector about people who were distilling Kanyanga in the home of one Vincent Nyandwi,” RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera, said.

He added: “Suspects turned violent as Police officers and local leaders tried to arrest them. One of them identified as Charles Ndagijimana drew a machete out of the trouser during the pursuit, aimed at one of the Police officers injuring his hand.”Ndagijimana, who was still charging at the injured officer with a machete, was fatally shot and succumbed to injuries.

Police also seized 51 litres of Kanyanga, which they had already distilled as well as raw materials and equipment they were using to make the illicit gin.

Some members of this criminal group were arrested although others escaped in the process. Those arrested were handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau in Ruhango alongside their exhibits.

Identities of those who escaped, the spokesperson said, are known and “they will be located and arrested.”

Kanyanga is banned and classified as narcotic drug in Rwanda.

Fighting trafficking, making, selling and abusing drugs is a national policy and RNP major priorities through community awareness and operations.

The government increased the penalty from maximum seven years to life in prison, to anyone convicted of producing, transforming, transporting, storing, giving to another or selling narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Police urges the public to strengthen partnership and information sharing on anyone they suspect to be involved in drug related crimes.