Rwanda National Police’s continued operations against drug abuse led to the arrest of a suspected drug trafficker in Burera on May 21. Beatrice Murekatete was arrested at a police checkpoint after she was found transporting 20 dozens of blue sky, 20 dozens of host Waragi and three carton of African Gin, all banned gin in Rwanda. Police spokesperson for the Northern region, Inspector of Police (IP) Innocent Gasasira said her arrest was not a “coincidence.” “We had information about her illegal business, so when she arrived at the checkpoint, she was stopped, searched and and found with the banned,” IP Gasasira said. “The public are our great partners and thats why most of the drug dealers are identified and arrested redhanded.” Under the current law on narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors, any drink that exceeds 45 per cent of alcohol content or does not have the required quality for consumption, is considered as a narcotic drug. “No one should claim that they aren’t aware of these laws because ignorance of law is not defense. Again, we have sensitized people against such substances over and over again.” “Most of these illicit substances that we impound in this area come from the neighboring countries through porous borders and sold on black markets.” Border districts are major routes for drugs, illicit brew and contrabands trafficked into the country. IP Gasasira pointed out that any person found with drugs or any of the mentioned substance is liable to punishment as stated in article 594 of the penal code. The article reads in part that any person who unlawfully, makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to Rwf 5 million.
