The Police have released updated statistics on the crack down on use of illicit drugs indicating that 1, 897,313 Kgs of drugs were confiscated and destroyed between January and October this year.

A statement released by the police Spokesman, Eric Kayiranga, indicates that 1,499 people have been prosecuted for dealing in cannabis.

"5, 875.2 litres of Kanyanga (Local brew) were destroyed and 808 people prosecuted in connection with the illicit brew,” reads the statement.

"Drugs may be categorized into anesthetics, hallucinogens, opioids, stimulants and inhalants.  Of these, the specific sub-categories are marijuana, cocaine and heroin, not to mention tobacco and alcohol”.

According to the Criminal Investigations Department, traces of misuse of other drugs like Heroin, Diazepam and Ecstasy were reported in 2007 and 2008 but have not been traced since then to date.

"Although the figures above are proportionally negligible compared to many other countries, drugs can be quite costly to fight when they have taken root in society. This is one reason why the statistics are neither permissible nor acceptable,” the statement quotes the Commissioner General of Police Emmanuel Gasana.

"No effort should be spared to crack down on offenders at every opportunity and we shall partner with more skilled countries in polishing our capacity to deal with the problem as Rwanda becomes more and more interactive with the rest of the world,” reads the statement.

Ends