{Police in Muhanga District arrested six men on January 20, who were found selling Kanyanga and seized about 20 litre of the banned crude gin.}
According to Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Southern Region Police Spokesperson, the suspects were arrested in a police operation that aimed at seizing the hazardous gin.
He identified the suspects as Baptiste Nsengimana, Murwanashyaka, Boniface Niyonteze, Jean Paul Bazumutima,Jean Paul Musabyimana and Jean Bosco Nkurunziza.
CIP Kanamugire commended the residents in the area for providing timely information which was influential in the police operations.
He called upon the public to shun the consumption and trafficking of such psychologic substances.
“Illicit brew is very harmful to people’s health and security, and that is why police is conducting a serious campaign against those who produce it and sell it to public. We shall not stop until this illegal act is eradicated,” he said.
He reminded that Rwanda National Police conducts anti-narcotics campaigns countrywide and involve all stakeholders including local leaders, schools, associations and civil society organizations. They are all aimed at eradication of drug consumption.
Police statistics further indicate that drug and alcohol consumption contribute to most criminal activities committed.
Drug users are always caught in several criminal activities such as assaults, robberies, rapes.
CIP Kanamugire warned of severe consequences to anyone that will be caught in the habit of preparing, selling and consuming illicit gin and urged the public to strengthen partnership by providing information on people dealing in the hazardous substances.
Kanyanga is classified among the psychotropic substances under article 24 of the law governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in Rwanda.
It 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.”
Growing, making, selling, transforming, transporting, storing and consumption of narcotic drugs and illicit substance are prohibited and punishable by law in Rwanda.
Article 594 of the Rwandan penal code, stipulates that, 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.
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