Rwanda National Police

Two people, who were producing and and selling Kanyanga, an illicit gin, were arrested red-handed on Wednesday November 23, in Bugesera District.

Donatha Mukaririma, 39, and Marie Claire Musabyimana, 34, were arrested at the latter's home in Juru Sector, Rwinume Cell in Rwimpyisi Village where they had a plant producing Kanyanga.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said that Police recovered 10 litres of Kanyanga, which the duo had already produced, as well as tools they were using to produce the crude illicit gin.

"Police had information about an illegal plant producing Kanyanga at the home of Musabyimana. On Wednesday, residents called local leaders after Musabyimana started producing the illicit gin. Local leaders then called the Police, Musabyimana and Mukaririma were found in the kitchen producing Kanyanga. They had already produced 10 litres," said SP Twizeyimana.

They were handed over to RIB at Rilima station for further investigations.

SP Twizeyimana thanked the residents for their responsiveness against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.

Kanyanga is classified as simple narcotic drugs by the Ministerial order N? 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation.  

Article 263 of law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general states that any person, who unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, commits an offence.

Upon conviction for "simple drugs" the offender faces between seven and ten years in prison and a fine of Frw5 million to Frw10 million.