Rwanda FDA Director-General arrested in nationwide illicit alcohol crackdown
Authorities have closed more than 140 companies, recalled hundreds of alcohol brands and forwarded 97 illicit alcohol cases for prosecution since July 20.
RWANDA – Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) Director-General Emile Bienvenu has been arrested as part of a nationwide crackdown on illicit alcoholic beverages, according to authorities.
Bienvenu was among 18 people arrested in ongoing investigations into the production, distribution and regulation of alcoholic beverages that do not meet required standards. Those arrested include officials from the Rwanda FDA and Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), as well as several local government leaders.
The crackdown has resulted in the closure of more than 140 companies and the recall of hundreds of alcohol brands, including gins and vodkas, since August 2. More than 50 alcohol brands have also been banned from importation, while at least 16 company owners, managers and other employees have been arrested.
Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) spokesperson Thierry Murangira said 97 case files linked to illicit alcohol-related crimes had been forwarded for prosecution since July 20.
“Some officials abused the powers entrusted to them for personal benefit,” Murangira told reporters.
He said some public officials were accused of abusing their authority, while others allegedly facilitated companies involved in producing alcoholic beverages that failed to meet required standards.
Officials convicted of abuse of authority face seven to 10 years in prison and fines ranging from Rwf5 million to Rwf10 million, according to Murangira.
He said officials responsible for standards enforcement were among those accused, while some local leaders were suspected of facilitating illicit operations by issuing certificates.
Investigators also found companies operating without meeting Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) requirements, Murangira said.
“Some companies used branding to appear legitimate, but their production was carried out in unhygienic conditions,” Murangira said.
He added that investigations had uncovered irregularities in product registration. In some cases, companies registered specific products but later produced additional alcoholic beverages that had not been registered.
The authorities’ intensified enforcement comes as alcohol consumption increases in Rwanda. According to a Rwanda Biomedical Center survey, alcohol consumption rose from 41% in 2013 to 48% in 2022.
The increase has prompted authorities to strengthen measures aimed at removing unsafe alcoholic products from the market and enforcing manufacturing and registration requirements.
The ongoing investigation covers companies, public officials and other individuals suspected of violating regulations governing alcoholic beverage production, certification and distribution.
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