Rwanda : 120kgs of drugs seized
A drug abuse fighting campaign dubbed “Operation Hope” is being conducted across the country
Police in Nyarugenge district of Kigali City over the weekend seized 120 kilogrammes, 20 litres of illicit liquor – kanyanga and over 17500 boules of cannabis in Kimisagara Sector, Kimisagara Cell.
The drugs were seized in the ongoing operation code-named ‘Operation Hope’ aimed at fighting drug use in the country.
‘Operation Hope’ is a campaign against drug abuse conducted by Rwanda National Police (RNP) in conjunction the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation (EAPCCO) and Interpol to put to an end the vice in East Africa.
The operation targets narcotic drugs, human trafficking and wildlife crimes carried in the Eastern Africa region thus becoming a focal point before they are transported to Western countries.
It’s also aimed at bringing together intelligence and information on individuals and groups involving in these crimes, promoting capacity building and joint operations as well as combating and wiping out criminal networks within the region.
During the operation in Nyarugenge, one person identified as Olivier Bitegetsimana, 29, was arrested after he was found with 1542 boules of cannabis.
This operation according to police, follows the first one which was carried out recently in different parts of the country and saw 80 people arrested in connection with the act and 185 kilogrammes of cannabis seized in the process.
Drugs such as cannabis and Kanyanga are sneaked into the country from the neighbouring countries and are said to be facilitated by the nature of borders which are porous.
Measures have been taken to contain it, including countrywide campaigns against the vice and mapping-out people that might be involved in such acts and places.
The Police urges the public to continue the partnership to provide timely information of people involved in such criminal acts, which has paid off as one of the best approaches in combating drug abuse in the country.
According to article 593 and 598 of the penal code, drug abuse is a crime in Rwanda. Upon conviction the criminal serves imprisonment term of between six months and two years and a fine of Rwf1, 000, 000 and Rwf 5,000, 000 or one of these penalties.
