Call for joint efforts in the fight against drug abuse

The Rwanda National Police has called upon the general public to join efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse, which they say is a major contributor to other crimes.

The call follows the seizure of over 80 kilogrammes of cannabis in Kicukiro and over 1000 litres of an illegal gin commonly known as kanyanga in Gicumbi district on Thursday.

Two brothers identified as D’Amour Iyakaremye and Kimaki Mbagariye were taken into custody in connection with the seized narcotics after they were recovered in their house in Nyakabanda cell of Niboye sector.

Iyakaremye is said to have been imprisoned about five times in connection with drugs and his wife is also currently serving a sentence at the central prison of Kigali commonly known as 1930 after she was convicted of trafficking cannabis.

Four people, who include a woman and three commercial motorcycle operators were also arrested after they were caught red-handed transporting the illicit gin, and their motorcycles confiscated.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Damas Gatare, Police spokesperson said that though the force has devised stringent measures against the vice, there is still need for all Rwandans to own it by providing information on people in their communities dealing in drugs and other illegal substances.

“There is still a loophole among the general population in fighting drug trafficking and consumption especially in communities where dealers and abusers hide and also continue commit other crimes,” ACP Gatare said.

“Traffickers use porous borders to sneak illicit drugs into the country. We should join efforts to ensure that there are no more drugs sneaked into Rwanda by tightening security and provide information of people involved, identified drug trafficking routes and random border posts,” he added.

He explained that the vice is the major cause of other crimes like domestic and gender-based violence, assault and theft.

“When you look at the nature of other crimes like domestic violence, physical attack and even students who drop out of school, most of them are influenced by drug abuse,” he observed.

Drug-related crimes, though on the decrease, remain the major crimes registered in the country.

Common drugs in Rwanda include cannabis, kanyanga and chief waragi said to be trafficked from the neighbouring countries and local brew prepared out of sorghum and sugarcane residues.
 
Drug trafficking and use is punishable under article 594 of the penal code attracting a jail term of up to five years upon conviction.

The First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, in 2011 launched a nationwide campaign against drug abuse especially among the young, the most affected.

The Rwanda National Police also conducts periodic awareness programmes against the vice in schools and among the public, which has seen majority of the drug dealers arrested as a way of breaking the supply chain.

ACP Gatare also warned owners of bars and night clubs against giving alcoholic drinks to the youth below eighteen years of age.

Article 219 of the penal code stipulates that any person who offers or sells alcoholic beverages or tobacco to a child or involves his or her in the sale of such products shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of at least three months but less than six months and a fine of Rwf300, 000 to Rwf1 million or one of these penalties.
 
These penalties also apply to any person who encourages a child to drink alcoholic beverages or to smoke or to go to bars.

RNP

UM– USEKE.RW