Police in Kicukiro district yesterday destroyed more than 400 liters of illicit local brew commonly known as muriture.
The activity took place at Kigarama sector; Nyarurama cell after police mounted a search operation and found the illicit brew from the houses belonging to Solange Marie Grace and Martin Ntakirutimana respectively.
According to Police sources in Kicukiro district, some residents in Nyarurama cell who had identified constant selling of such illegal beer called on Police to help apprehend the wrong doers expressing concerns that criminality had increased in their community as a result of the illicit local wine.
The illicit brew is made by mixing sorghum floor, sugar and yeast which makes it toxic to turn the taker drunkard in more than fifteen minutes.
Solange, one of the arrested suspects, denies any role in the crime adding that, the business belonged to her husband whom she disclosed had gone for buzzing.
“My husband had always physically abused me especially after taking the brew”, Solange said adding that she had even advised him to get away with the illegal business and embark on other lawfully and productive businesses.
Ntakirutimana another suspect admitted to committing the crime conceding that this was the second time Police arrested him while running the same illegal business.
Shukuru Bizimingu, the Rwanda Bureau of standards (RBS) personnel in charge of industries noted that, the brew was not fit for consumption because it did not conform to RBS standards adding that the hygiene levels were also so poor.
Bizimungu reiterated that RBS is planning to educate local leaders on the dangers of such illicit brews. After getting sensitized, local leaders will be required to share information that will lead to apprehension of illegal brewers in their localities.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Theos Badege urged citizens to stop consuming products that have not been certified by RBS as they can lead to health hazards.
Badege further asked Rwandans to report other areas where such illicit brew is made and sold to police and other relevant authorities so that necessary measures are taken.
Last year, police destroyed more than 5000 liters of the same illegal brew in Kicukiro district.
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