The Rwanda National Police announced the arrest of two young men suspected of selling and distributing cannabis in the City of Kigali; one was found with 36 sachets, while the other had 4,800.
The two men were arrested on Monday, September 28, 2026, during operations to prevent and combat drug abuse across various parts of the country.
Nzabagerageza Theoneste, a resident of Rugarama Sector in Nyarugenge District, was found in possession of 36 sachets of cannabis. Meanwhile, Karangwa was arrested in Ndera Sector—specifically in the Cyaruzinge area of Gasabo District—with 4,800 sachets of cannabis.
CIP Wellars Gahonzire, the Rwanda National Police spokesperson for the City of Kigali, stated that the arrests were made following information provided by members of the public.
He said: “We received information from the public, leading us to arrest Nzabagerageza Theoneste from Rugarama Sector (in the area known as Nyamirambo). Upon his arrest, he revealed that he obtained the cannabis from Karangwa, a resident of Ndera Sector.” CIP Gahonzire stated that the Police immediately collaborated with Nzabagerageza to help apprehend the person he identified as his supplier of cannabis.
He said: “We asked him to call the supplier and say he needed more cannabis so he would bring it; Karangwa promptly arrived with the supply. He had hidden it in his vehicle under the seat—400 sachets at that moment—and we immediately arrested him. Upon searching him, we discovered an additional 4,800 sachets.”
He added that the case files for both individuals have been handed over to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) for further investigation and to ensure due legal process is followed.
CIP Gahonzire urged citizens to continue playing an active role in the fight against drugs and other activities that could compromise security.
He said: “We also take this opportunity to call upon citizens to continue participating in the fight against drugs—including cannabis, *Kanyanga*, and others—while also combating substandard alcoholic beverages, dangerous equipment, and anything else that endangers lives or threatens public safety and order.” The Rwanda National Police consistently urges the public to provide information regarding individuals suspected of manufacturing, transporting, storing, or distributing illicit drugs, as such information facilitates security agencies in preventing and detecting these activities.
The arrest of these young men comes as the Police continue operations to combat drug abuse in the City of Kigali and other parts of the country, aiming to prevent the negative impacts of drugs on public health, security, and the well-being of citizens.
In Rwanda, cannabis is permitted solely for medical and research purposes under a special license; however, it remains a strictly controlled narcotic that is illegal for recreational or general use.
Cultivation and Economics of Medical Cannabis
• Land and Investment: The Government of Rwanda has approved regulations governing the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal use and export (to markets such as the United States, Canada, and Europe) to generate foreign currency revenue.
• Security: Cultivation sites and processing facilities are subject to rigorous security measures—including digital systems, CCTV cameras, and security personnel—to prevent the product from entering unauthorized channels.
Laws and Penalties for Illicit Activity
• Drug Classification: Cannabis is classified as a severe narcotic; consequently, any unauthorized possession, sale, transportation, or cultivation constitutes a serious criminal offense.
• Penalties: Anyone caught distributing or selling cannabis faces severe penalties, including life imprisonment, in accordance with Rwandan criminal law. you can listen to this song “Waambie Wanadamu Dunia Inapita” You may also read the previous articcles below: