Rwanda National Police

Three men said to be major Kanyanga traffickers and distributors in Nyagatare District were arrested on Friday.

At the time of their arrest in Gatunda  Sector, Nyangara cell in Mugomero Village, they were found with 60 litres of the banned illicit gin.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Eastern region Police spokesperson named the suspects as Birashakwa Nowa, 43, Tuyishimire Jean Nepo, 31, and Rwagasore Gilber, 21.

"We had information from residents that the three individuals were major distributors of kanyanga to local sellers. They traffic it from Uganda through porous borders," said CIP Twizeyimana. 

"This time, Police had information that they had crossed into the country with three jerrycans of the crude gin through an illegal border in Mugomero village. They were arrested at about 5am," he added.

Kanyanga is classified as a psychotropic substance and banned in Rwanda.

Article 263 of the new penal code partly states that “any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence”, with a sentence ranging from seven years to life in prison, upon conviction, and a fine of between Rwf20 million and Rwf30 million.