WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — Drug trafficking is the leading crime committed in Rubavu, the District High Court chief prosecutor, Victor Rutagengwa has said.

Rutagengwa said this recently at an event that was called  to publicly burn over 250kg of drugs mostly marijuana.

According to police, the drugs’ estimated street value of about Rwf.10m were impounded from drug traffickers who tried to smuggle them into the country from the neighbouring Democratic Republic of  Congo town of Goma.

"Drug trafficking is becoming one of the most rampant crimes in Rubavu way ahead of other crimes. that’s why we call upon residents to work tirelessly against this vice by reporting anyone involved to the police and local authorities, ” he said. He warned that the police was working hard to track and apprehend the culprits.

"Drug dealers should know that the law against the practice is tough. Unlike other crimes, drug trafficking cases are followed up while the suspects are locked up  in custody,” he added stressing that all people involved in the illicit trade will be prosecuted.

"Drugs are very dangerous and a hindrance to the country’s economic development since they obstruct people from positive reasoning and work. Drug abuse causes other forms of truancy  such as rape, assault, robbery and other crimes,”Ernest Murayire, the Rubavu district Police Commander observed, noting that drug abuse in the district has further fuelled murder cases and gender based violence within families.

"We have in the past had weird cases of fathers killing their own children and wives, people murdering their friends and many other terrible crimes mostly committed by drug abusers  and addicts,” he pointed out. He called upon residents to work hand in hand with the police by reporting any one involved in the activity.

"It is sometimes difficult for the police to capture these drug traffickers since the border is porous …some of them pass via Lake Kivu and others through various crossing points between the Grande and petite borders. But with your cooperation we can both end the practice,” he told hundreds of Gisenyi residents who turned up  to witness the exercise.

Drug trafficking from the neighbouring town of Goma has been a rampant problem in Rubavu.

In September 2007 police set on fire over 200kg of marijuana while in August 2008 300kg with an estimated street value of Rwf.12m was destoryed.

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