Rwanda National Police

Separate targeted Police operations conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday seized about 3,900 litres of illicit brew and over 1900 pellets of cannabis from dealers.

The successful operations were conducted in the districts of Gasabo, Burera, Kayonza, Ngoma and Nyabihu. 

The assorted illicit brews were seized from distillers in Kagitega, Cyanika Sector in Burera District; Nyamirama and Mukarange sectors of Kayonza District; Gashanda Sector in Ngoma District and in Bigogwe Sector of Nyabihu District. 

At least 35 people were arrested in connection with distilling and selling the illicit substances.

"A security operation enforcing directives on preventing the spread of Coronavirus in Burera District found one Felicien Maniragaba, 53, selling the brew to 23 people in his house. Maniragaba alongside all his customers were arrested and about 1000 litres of brew seized from his house," said Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region.

In the Eastern region, CIP Hamdun Twizerimana, the regional spokesperson attributed the successful operations in Kayonza and Ngoma to credible information from residents. 

“People are aware that these illicit brews are toxic to human, and they report distillers and sellers which facilitates successful operations," said CIP Twizeyimana. 

All the seized substances were disposed of.

Meanwhile, the 1900 pellets of cannabis were seized from dealers in Jali and Kinyinya sectors of Gasabo District.

CIP Marie-Gorette Umutesi, the Police spokesperson for the Central region said that the seizure of the narcotics was in response to reliable information from residents on the dealers.

“Police conducted a targeted operation in Jali and Kinyinya sectors after being informed of individuals distributing cannabis in the areas. In response, Police arrested five people with combined 1900 pellets of cannabis," CIP Umutesi said. 

She added: “Rwanda National Police has strengthened operations to break chains of supply and bring dealers to justice, and working with different stakeholders to raise awareness against the vice.”