Police in Gakenke District have arrested five men suspected of working together to distribute cannabis and illicit gin, locally known as Kanyanga, after seizing 10 kilogrammes of cannabis.
The suspects were arrested in the early hours of Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Kabutwa Village, Rukore Cell, Kamubuga Sector, following information provided by local residents.
According to police, the men allegedly coordinated their activities by sharing information, finding markets for illicit drugs and arranging routes to bring them into Rwanda from neighbouring countries without detection.
They are also suspected of distributing Kanyanga. Three of the suspects allegedly poured away the illicit alcohol after learning that they were being sought by authorities, apparently in an attempt to destroy evidence. Another suspect was found with the substance in a bottle.
CIP Ignace Ngirabakunzi, the Northern Province police spokesperson, urged residents not to tolerate drug-related activities, warning that they harm individuals, families and society as a whole.
“Drug abuse and trafficking affect those who distribute the substances, those who consume them, their families and the country at large. No one should allow these activities to continue; we must all condemn them,” he said.
Ngirabakunzi urged residents to support security agencies by reporting people involved in activities that threaten public safety, including drug trafficking, so that suspects can be apprehended.
“When security is compromised, citizens are among those most affected. Everyone should therefore recognise their responsibility to work with the relevant authorities to fight anyone who threatens it,” he added.
The five suspects are being held at Gakenke Police Station as investigations continue and they await further legal proceedings.
Cannabis is classified as a high-risk narcotic under Rwandan law. A person convicted of transporting, distributing or trafficking it may face life imprisonment and a fine of more than Rwf20 million but not exceeding Rwf30 million.
