Rwanda National Police

At least 138 litres of the banned illicit gin commonly known as Kanyanga was seized from traffickers in separate operations conducted in Nyagatare District on Saturday, July 30.

One Damascene Mukurizehe, 34, was arrested red-handed at his home in Rwebishorogoto village, Gasinga cell, Rwempasha sector with 40 litres of Kanyanga while 98 litres were seized from traffickers in Matimba and Karama sectors, who fled.

The Eastern region Police spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said that the suspects? illegal business was reported by the residents in the area.

"They had sneaked kanyanga into Rwanda from Uganda through porous border points and Police has prior information in the routes they were using," said SP Twizeyimana.

The illicit gin was packed in bottles and jerrycans.

Mukurizehe and exhibits were handed over to RIB at Rwimiyaga station for further investigations.

The Ministerial Order n? 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation, lists kanyanga among "simple drugs."

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 and a fine of not less than Frw5 million but not more than Frw10 million.

Rwanda National Police increased operations in Nyagatare and other districts where trafficking of kanyanga is still common.