Jean Paul Sekanabo alias Gisenyi, 30, and Paulin Habuhazi, 23, were apprehended red-handed distilling kanyanga in Samuduha Village, Gifumba Cell, Nyamabuye Sector.

According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Theobald Kanamugire, the Police spokesperson for the Southern region, said that both suspects hail from Gahogo Cell also in Muhanga.

“Residents in Gifumba reported that Sekanabo and Habuhazi were distilling and selling kanyanga in the Sekanabo’s sister’s house located in Samuduha Village.

An operation was swiftly conducted at the same house where the duo was arrested red-handed distilling the crude gin in the kitchen," SP Kanamugire said.

He added that Police also seized 18 litres of kanyanga, which they had already produced as well as assorted equipment and raw materials, which they were using to distill the illicit gin.

The spokesperson thanked the residents for the community policing spirit against illicit drinks.

The suspects were handed over to RIB at Nyamabuye station for further legal process.

Kanyanga is classified as simple narcotic drugs by the Ministerial order Nº 001/MoH/2019 of 04/03/2019 establishing the list of narcotic drugs and their categorisation.

Article 263 of law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and penalties in general 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 for "simple drugs" the offender faces between seven and ten years in prison and a fine of Rwf5 million to Rwf10 million.