NYARUGURU – Police and Nyaruguru district leaders on Monday cut down before setting ablaze a marijuana plantation that was discovered in Nyungwe National Park.

This was during the closure of the Community Policing week in the district.

The District Police commander, Supt. Aimable Rukundo who officiated at the closing function urged local residents against concealing information on marijuana and other drug related cases.

"You have to be vigilant. You already knew about these drugs but none of you had told us. Please change your mind because you must be responsible for your area’s security,” he said.

Sources who did not wish to be named said that Nyungwe has been used as a plantation for illicit drugs which upon harvesting is sold in different corners of country.

The district vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Bernadette Mukamana, said the practice of planting drugs in the forest is common among residents of Ruheru sector, neighboring the park.

Measures to check the activities she said, have however, been taken, including restricting residents from entering the forest illegally.

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