The Police have intercepted over 2000 rolls of cannabis and six cartons of illegal gin and arrested 10 people in connection with the act.
The seizure and the subsequent arrests were conducted in the last three days in different parts of the country.
Also intercepted during the same period are 48 sachets of African gin, 24 sachets of Uganda warangi and 65 litres of Kanyanga.
Among those arrested are Uwase Clarice of Ngororero District, Kabaya Sector in Kabaya Cell, who was found in possession of 933 rolls of cannabis and Kanzayire Mediatrice of Rulido District, Masoro Sector, Kigarama Village Marenge Cell, who was arrested with 7.5 Kilogrammes of cannabis.
Other suspects include Uwase Alice and Nahimana Jean Claude.
According to Burera District Police Commander, Superintendant Fred Ntidendereza, drugs are brought into the district from the neighbouring countries through porous borders.
He, however, said that security meetings have been held with security organs in the neighbouring countries to devise means to combat drug abuse.
“Night patrols by the public, through community policing, have also played a vital role in fighting crime including drug abuse,” he stated.
Law N°03/2012 of 15/02/2012, governing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors in Rwanda, in its Article 24, 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.”
According to Police spokesperson Central Superintendent of Police Albert Gakara targeted operations have been conducted with collaboration with citizens and have since paid off, where in the last few days we managed to cease 8 bags of cannabis and arrested some suspects.
Under article 594 of the penal code, any person who unlawfully makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of three years to five years and a fine of Rwf500, 000 to Rwf5 million.