He was arrested Monday in Gahunga Sector, Nyangwe Cell with 170 litres of the crude gin.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Alexis Rugigana, the Police spokesperson for the Northern region, said that Manirora was also found in possession of 90 sachets of Living Waragi, which is also classified as a psychotropic substance in Rwanda.

"Security organs, while on patrol, intercepted a group of night men including Manirora after they crossed into Rwanda from Uganda, carrying jerrycans and sacks of illicit gin," said CIP Rugigana.

"Unfortunately, eight of the traffickers run away abandoning their consignments, but Manirora said to be their ringleader, was pursued and apprehended," he added.

He explained that the group, whose identities are known, were previously reported by residents as major traffickers and distributors of illicit gin, through porous borders with Uganda.

He commended the role of the residents in identifying and arresting drug dealers, through sharing of information.

He advised those still engaged in such criminal businesses to refrain and deal in and consume legalized alcoholic drinks instead of dealing in harmful substances and poisoning people.

The article 263 of the penal code states that, “Any person who, unlawfully produces, transforms, transports, stores, gives to another or who sells narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances commits an offence.”

Upon conviction, he or she is liable to a term of imprisonment between seven years and life and a fine of up to Rwf30 million.