Rwanda National Police

Three people were arrested on November 17, in Byimana Sector, Ruhango District in connection with distilling illicit gin and other substances. 

Chief Inspector of Police  (CIP) Bonavanture Karekezi, Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that the trio was arrested red-handed distilling crude gin commonly known as Kanyanga and substances called Ibidongo.

"They had already distilled 50 litres of Kanyanga and 200 litres of Ibidongo. The exhibits which also include raw materials and equipment they were using were seized and handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau alongside the suspects," CIP Karekezi said.

"The operation was conducted by Police and local leaders as a response to information from residents of Byimana," he added.

Kanyanga and other substances with alcoholic content above 45 percent are classified as narcotic drugs in Rwanda. 

Under article 263 of the new penal code, anyone convicted of producing, transforming, transporting, storing, giving to another or selling narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances faces a penalty of between seven and life in prison and a fine of up to Rwf30 million, in regard to severe or simple narcotic drugs.