Police in Rulindo District destroyed 468 dozens of illicit gin following intensified and successful operations against drug abuse conducted last month.
They were destroyed on February 12 in presence of hundreds of area residents including about 350 commercial motorcyclists and cyclists.
The destroyed illicit gin branded as narcotic drugs in Rwanda under article 24 of the law governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors, included African Gin, Chief Waragi and crude waragi commonly referred to as Kanyanga.
Article 24 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.”
The District Police Commander (DPC) Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Felix Bizimana noted that some of the traffickers are facilitated by drivers, motorcyclists and cyclists.
He instead urged them to be strong partners in this intensified awareness, fight, prevention and arrest of drug dealers, adding that facilitating such criminals also makes them accomplices, which is also punishable by the law.
“We have information about some motorcyclists who scout the roads on behalf of drug traffickers so that they are not arrested; giving them information on what they think is a safe passage. Don’t get fooled because there’s no safe passage for criminals in Rwanda because even some of those that have been aiding them were arrested,” SSP Bizimana said.
“Such kind of actions will lead you into troubles that are avoidable, we encourage you to refrain from cooperating with drug traffickers and be partners in safety and security by reporting those that attempt to use you,” he added.
One of the cyclists, Benoit Karenzi said: “Some of our colleagues consume these substances out of ignorance, although being ignorant doesn’t exonerate them. We can only promise to join the fight against these substances.”
The Executive Secretary of Kajevuba Sector, Emilien Mutuyeyezu also urged commercial motorcyclists and cyclists to work closely with security organs against anyone who consumes or traffics drugs.
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