Kirehe - Police in Kagera Region of Tanzania and Eastern Province of Rwanda have resolved to jointly fight growing and trafficking cannabis across borders.

The drug locally known in Tanzania as ‘Bangi’, is grown on large scale along River Akagera, in villages of Ntoboye and Nyakiziba in Ngara district that neighbours Kirehe district of Rwanda.

According to the police, the drug is grown by both Rwandans and Tanzanians in Ngara district, and smuggled to Europe and the US.

ACP Sam Karemera the Regional Police Commander Eastern Province, said the two regions were affected greatly by the dangers posed by drug consumption.

"It is high time we put to rest the issue of drugs in our two regions...we know the source of the drug, and we shall work jointly to destroy it. The operations will be supported by sensitization by the population,” he said.

Noting that the issue of drug trafficking is a complex, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police, Henry Salewi, the Regional Commander of Kagera region stressed that a well worked strategy would stem the vice.

"It is essential that we organise a joint operation...the operation will be carried out in a way that no culprit will manage to escape to either country,” he stated.

"We shall however, need a non-selective weed killer, to burn all the plants. Cutting it down only allows it to spread further.”

Protais Murayire, the Mayor of Kirehe district assured them of support from local administration in arresting drug dealers.

"It is our duty to cooperate with the police to fight crime...drug abuse in any way, is an international offence. Kirehe and Ngara district leaders have an obligation to cooperate with security organs, to end the issue,” he asserted.

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