Police are holding 42 people in connection with drug trafficking and selling of illicit brew in Eastern Province.

In separate operations, police also seized different illegal substances estimated at Rwf42 million and impounded two vehicles.

 The suspects were yesterday paraded before the media in a move to discourage the public from trafficking, selling and consuming such substances.

The substances included 705 kilogrammes of cannabis, as well as 62 jerrycans and over 100 cartons of illicit gin seized over a period of about a month.

Most of the suspects claim they smuggled the banned substances into the country from either Tanzania or Uganda.

 "I used to acquire cannabis from a man called Jackson in Tanzania at approximately Rwf4,400 a kilogramme…I knew what I was dealing in was illegal. I regret having involved myself in such a risky business  and call on anyone who is doing the same to stop,” said one of the suspects, Solomon Maniraguha.

 Police recently identified the Eastern Province as a major transit route for drug traffickers en route to Kigali.

 Another paraded suspect, who was apprehended while smuggling illicit brew from Uganda, Jean Pierre Kanyoni, said he wanted to make quick and easy money.

"But, I have lost more than I had before I joined this business. I am a family man who has responsibilities which means I have wrecked my family over my illegal practices. I want to discourage anyone from taking the same path,” said Kanyoni.

Since this year began, Police have recorded 1556 cases of drug abuse which were forwarded to prosecution.

 Most of the arrests were as a result of public tip off which the police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Celestin Twahirwa commended.

"We want the public to take up a major role in fighting drug trafficking and consumption; we are not proud of arresting people, that is why we emphasis sensitisation,” said ACP Twahirwa.

He outlined effects of drug consumption saying, "such substances can have enormous health effects, such as brain damage, besides behavioural problems.

 "These are consequences to the consumer but the effects can go as far as affecting families, communities and the country. This is why we should collectively fight the consumption of these substances… the fate of the impounded vehicles will be decided by the courts,” ACP Twahirwa said.

 In a related development, one of the former drug addicts and trafficker, Damien Nsengimana, spoke about the effects of drug dealing.

 "I consumed cannabis for seven years and also smuggled it from Tanzania. I had invested about Rwf200, 000 in that illegal trade but, in 2005, I was arrested and sentenced to one year imprisonment. When I came out of jail, I started from nothing and today I have a banana plantation which gives me  an income of Rwf100, 000 per month. If I had not invested my money into drugs I would be rich by now,” said Nsengimana.

Recent figures from Police indicate that drug trafficking dropped by 1.4 per cent between January and October, among the high impact crimes.