English
Kinyarwanda
The District Police Commander of Rulindo district Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Felix Bizimana met with over 200 traders operating in the district and enlightened them about the list of narcotic drugs and illegal substances that are banned in Rwanda and urged them to avoid selling them.
In a meeting held on February 24, in Base sector, SSP Bizimana read out the list that has on it, Kanyanga, Muriture, Chief Waragi, Suzie, Khat; Glue (inhaled) Gasoline (inhaled), any liquid substance that contains more than zero and a half percent (0.5%) of methanol in the composition and any other substance considered as a narcotic drug by Instructions of the Minister in charge of health.
The substance are banned by the ministerial order nº20/35 of 09/6/2015 determining unauthorized drinks and other controlled substances classified as narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors.
“This implies that whoever is found with these substance will be punished same as anyone who is found selling them,” said the DPC.
He went on to advise them to ensure they work closely with the police and report any one who would be dealing in such substance
SSP Bizimana pointed out that any person found with drugs or any of the mentioned substance is liable to punishment as stated in article 594 of the penal code which says that any person, who consumes, injects, inhales, anoints him/herself with or makes any other unlawful use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of one (1) year to three (3) years and a fine of fifty thousand (50,000) to five hundred thousand (500,000) Rwandan francs.
It also states that any person who unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three (3) years to five (5) years and a fine of five hundred thousand (500,000) to five million (5,000,000) Rwandan francs.
However, if the act is committed internationally, the penalties shall be doubled between six month and five years of imprisonment, according to articles 272 and 273 of the Rwanda penal code.
