Police arrest liquor smugglers along Ugandan border

BURERA-Police in Burera District Tuesday night arrested three people over trafficking of illicit brew. Police said the trio were part of the 17 people who were intercepted while smuggling the illicit brew commonly known as Kanyanga, and chief waragi, from the neighbouring Ugandan district of Kisoro. The trio were arrested along the Cyanika border in Burera District after a shoot out. The suspects identified as Jerome Niyonteze 22, Fabian Semivumbi 25 and Regis Ndacyayisenga, are being detained at Gahunga Police Station as the search for other suspects continue. The group allegedly pelted security officials with stones forcing police to fire live bullets though no one was shot. Around 246 litres of Kanyanga were recovered, including 100 sachets of chief waragi and 20 dozens of Host waragi. “They promised to pay us Rwf5,000 each to transport the Kanyanga up to Cyuve Sector in Musanze District. It was our first time to try this trafficking business. Others disappeared when they heard bullets, but we were all armed with stones and sticks,’’ one of the suspects, Niyonteze narrated. According to the local authorities, traffickers are known to clash with security officials whenever they are intercepted. According to the police spokesman, Supt. Theos Badege, police will track down those involved in such dubious activity to face the law. “Police is committed to ensuring peace and order, nobody is above the law, being in a gang could not help them put off the security (personnel),’’ Badege said. Ends