NORTHERN PROVINCE

BURERA  — Police in Burera District is holding 60 people for allegedly trading in illegal local brew commonly referred to as kanyanga.

This was revealed by AIP J. Bapitsta Ruchahana, the area police commander, at a function to destroy 1, 788 litres of kanyanga and 1,850 litres of chief waragi in Burera last week.

The items worth Frw5 million, reportedly smuggled into the country from Uganda, were impounded at different locations of the district in the last three months.

At the burning, district officials and police cautioned area residents against continued trading in illegal brew.

Joseph Zaraduhaye, the vice mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, warned residents that the drugs are not only a danger to their health but also contribute to criminal tendencies. 

He asked residents through community policing, to arrest those involved and also work with police to stop the illegal business.

Police has previously blamed conflicts including domestic violence and rape on illegal drugs in the district.

The potent gin is smuggled from the neighbouring Ugandan town of Kisoro and enters Burera District through Butaro.

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