{{The Revenue Protection Department (RDP) on July 30 in Kimironko sector Gasabo district arrested Kamanzi Fred 32 for illegally manufacturing hard liquors.}}
RPD is a Police unit attached to Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) to curb on illegal trade.
Kamanzi was found with counterfeit products, among them mineral water and gin brands.
He admitted and confessed for counterfeiting Nil water brand of Sulfo Rwanda Industries which was the most affected, although the suspect admitted to also counterfeiting Inyange mineral water of Inyange Industries.
Other liquor brands such as African Lion Gin, Super Gin and Buffalo Gin are among his counterfeits.
The spokesperson for Kigali City Superintendent Modeste Mbabazi says it’s a very dangerous offence which puts people’s lives at risk.
“We will carry out more investigations and ensure that this illegal act is wiped out. We urge the public to work with us to eliminate counterfeits.” Mbabazi said.
Jishid Kakkadath, the Sulfo Rwanda Industries Assistant Marketing Manager, says that this act does not only affect Sulfo but also the entire manufacturing industry in Rwanda.
“We noticed this problem and we are investigating similar cases” Jishid said
Kamanzi used his rented house in Kimironko as a factory where he filled mineral water bottles with tap water and then sealed the bottles with covers he imported from Uganda.
He also imported jerry cans of ethanol which he diluted with water and then filled bottles which have clear labels.
At the suspect’s home, the compound was littered with cartons of mineral water and gin sealed with tape, ready to infiltrate the market.
Once convicted, the suspect will serve between two and five years, according to articles 378 and 382, or pay a fine not exceeding Rwf10 million and not below Rwf1 million or both.
RNP
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