{{Police has arrested five people in different parts of the country, in connection with trade and consumption of illicit brew and narcotics.}}
The suspects are identified as Francis Barayavuga, Alexandre Mvuyekure, Cyprien Ndereyimana, Sylvestre Akimana and Theogene Nshimiyimana.
Mvuyekure and Ndereyimana were arrested in Kabeza Cell, Gatunda Sector in Nyagatare District by Local Defence (LD) after they were found in possession of 20 litres of the illicit liquor – kanyanga – and 37 sachets of chief waragi. They are currently held at Gatunda Police Station.
Night patrol in Kazaza Cell, Rwempasha Sector in Nyagatare also recovered 20 cartons of African gin, which had been brought into the country through illegal border.
Combating drug abuse, which is rated high among the youth and has been topping the crime list in the past years, is a priority in Rwanda National Police.
2477 out of 3132 people arrested last year in connection with drug related crimes, are the youth between 18 and 35 years of age. 99 others were aged below 18 years.
The force has held several campaigns to clamp down the vice, which has seen other entities also coming on board to further boost efforts.
These efforts have seen more dealers and consumers arrested and drugs seized and destroyed, thanks to the partnership with the public, who have also been vital in the fight against crimes and drug abuse in particular by providing timely information on the dealers.
Growing, selling, transforming, transporting, storage and consumption of narcotic drugs and are prohibited in Rwanda, except in cases and conditions specified by law.
Under article 594 of the penal code, any person who, unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5 million.
The law governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in Rwanda, in its Article 24, also 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.”
Experts in health say drug abuse has serious negative health effects such as mental problems and heart related difficulties.
Chief Superintendent Emmanuel Ngondo, Director of Anti- Narcotic Unit in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), warned all those involved in such criminal acts, saying being the RNP’s priority comes with stern measures to clamp-down all those involved.
Last year, Rwanda National Police referred to prosecution 2527 files related to drugs.
“Campaigns against drugs have been conducted across the country and they are still on. The message is clear; anyone caught dealing in drugs, like other crimes, will be arrested to face justice,” CSP Ngondo warned.
“We will continue to make repetitive appeals to the community to strengthen partnership through community policing so as to fight crimes that might affect their daily activities and grind down the country’s development agenda in general” he added.
He called on citizens to engage in legitimate income generating activities rather than indulge in drugs, which also lure them into other criminal acts like theft, defilement, rape and assault.
Drug abuse is also said to be fuelling domestic conflicts and gender based related crimes.
RNP
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