Police seize 400 litres of Kanyanga, 50 packs of polythene bag

{Separate police operations conducted yesterday in various parts of the country against illicit drugs and other illegal businesses, arrested about five people who were caught either trafficking or selling Kanyanga, an illicit gin banned in Rwanda.}

The operations conducted in the districts of Gasabo, Kirehe, Kamonyi, Bugesera, Nyabihu and Gicumbi seized about 400 litres of the illicit gin, 10kgs and 423 pellets of cannabis, and 50 packs of plastic bags.

Kanyanga is among the brands categorised as narcotic drugs under article 24 of the law governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in Rwanda.

The law states that “any drink that exceeds forty five percent of alcohol and any other drink which doesn’t have the required quality for consumption shall be considered as narcotic drug.”

Police said the successful operations were possible due to the cooperation and timely information exchange with the public, who informed police on the illegal dealings.

“Operations to crackdown on drug dealers have been going on and are part of our efforts to reduce crime rates as it has been realized that most crimes are committed by people under the influence of drugs; these operations are now a regular feature as they intensify the fight against drug dealers and peddlers,” ACP Celestin Twahirwa, Rwanda National Police spokesperson, said.

The Eastern Province, where drugs worth Rwf42 million were seized in a period of one month, is said to be the main transit route for trafficked drugs en route to Kigali.

“It goes without saying that there is a causal link between the proliferation of drugs and a spike in crime, we have intensified operations against drug dealings and we appreciate the partnership we have with the community that provides us with tip-offs. Our duty to fight criminality is also the duty of the public and that’s why we have community policing,” ACP Twahirwa added.

Drug related crimes constitute about 31.5 percent of the crimes registered in the last three months, despite its of about 4 percent decrease.