Rwanda National Police

Police operations in the three districts of Gicumbi, Bugesera and Kayonza have seized several contrabands and smuggled goods that were being sneaked into the country.

In Bugesera, police seized several crates of  amstel beers that were being sneaked into the country from neighboring Burundi by a smuggler, who was attempting to evade taxes.

The suspects, who is on the run also left behind a motorcycle onto which the beers were loaded. 

A similar operation in Kayonza seized over 300 liters of illicit gin locally known as Kanyanga.

Also seized in Kayonza were raw materials used to distill illicit drinks.

They were recovered in the house of one Jean Claude Harolimana.

Cartons of illicit gin called zebra waragi were also seized in Gicumbi following information provided by residents on the dealers.

Inspector of Police (IP) Emmanuel Kayigi, the police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that police through different channels include mass media usually caution against illegal trade.

“It's a campaign that we are actively into through awareness and operations to break the chains of drug supply, and arrest either sellers or users,” IP Kayigi said.

“Those still planning to brew and sale these drinks are thus forewarned that they will be arrested,” he said.