Rwanda National Police

Contrabands worth over Rwf3.3 million have been seized in Police operations conducted in Gatsibo District in the last three.

The 109 cartons of contrabands composed mainly of zebra waragi, a banned gin in Rwanda, were disposed of Friday in Ngarama Sector and witnessed by over 1000 people including students from three schools, teachers, commercial motorcyclists and residents.

The substances were intercepted in operations conducted in the sectors of Ngarama and Nyagihanga, Police said.

The vice mayor of Gatsibo in charge of Economic Development, Theogene Manzi, while addressing residents shortly after the destruction exercise, thanked the residents for their community policing efforts especially against drugs.

He particularly called on the youth, majority involved in drug related crimes, to seize the available opportunities meant for youth devepment programmes.

“The great future of a country lies in hands of the young people but whose lives are currently threatened by substance use. We have to work together as parents, the community, leaders and security organs to save our children by reporting drug dealers hiding or operating in our neighborhoods," Manzi said.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Eastern region Police spokesperson, attributed the successful Police operations against narcotic drugs, to the good cooperation with residents.

"Where residents have been tough against drugs the impact is felt in terms of knowing and arresting dealers and seizing drugs like cannabis, kanyanga, locally made illicit brew and other substances,” CIP Kanamugire said.

The destruction of substances in Gatsibo came a day after other over 2,000 liters of illicit brew were impounded in Huye District. 

Rwanda National Police and other government entities and groups are currently involved in awareness and operations in an effort to address the problem, prevent new users, rehabilitate addicts and ensure dealers are arrested.