{Police operations in the districts of Huye, Gatsibo and Bugesera in the last two months led to the seizure of over 4500 litres of varied illicit substances and arrested eight people in connection with the act.}
The psychotropic substances were destroyed separately on June 18 in the three districts and attracted over 3000 people, who turned up to witness the exercise.
The destroyed substances include 3340 litres of a locally made blew called Muriture, 1235 litres of crude gin commonly known as Kanyanga, 138 cartons of Zebra Waragi and 17 kilogrammes of cannabis.
Muriture, which is made out of mixed burned bricks, sugar, water and tea, was seized in Sovu Cell of Huye Sector in Huye District, earlier in the day.
In Gatsibo, the mayor Richard Gasana, who officiated at the public destruction exercise, reminded residents of their role to fight such “illegal business that threatens the life of consumers.”
“Crimes like theft, assault and gender based violence are mostly committed by people who are under influence of such substances. If we collectively fight trafficking, sale and use of these illicit drugs, we will be fighting any unlawful act associated with it,” Mayor Gasana told the residents.
In Huye, the District Police Commander Superintendent of Police (SP) Jean Marie Vianney Karegeya rallied the residents to partner with security organs to identify and arrest all those dealing in making and selling illicit brew.
“You know very well that these substances destroy lives. You should shun them and report whoever you suspect to be distilling or selling them because fighting them and ensuring the safety and security of your communities is your responsibility as well, and that’s what community policing means,” Supt. Karegeya said.
He advised residents to deal in legal businesses and concentrate on supporting government programmes instead of venturing their money in criminal and businesses that leave them counting loses, when caught.
The DPC attributed the seizure of the illicit substances and arrest of the suspects to the strengthened awareness of different groups including Rwanda Youth Volunteers in Community Policing (RYVCP), Community Policing Committees (CPCs) and Anti-crime Clubs in schools, among others, and urged the residents to actively partner with them to further fight any unlawful acts.
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