KIGALI, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- About 80 people have been detained following a nationwide crackdown on illicit alcoholic beverages in Rwanda, according to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
The arrests came days after the Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority shut down dozens of liquor firms and temporarily suspended the importation of more than 50 brands of alcoholic beverages into the country, citing public health concerns.
RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira told local media on Saturday that those arrested are suspected of being involved in the production and distribution of illicit alcohol.
The suspects include six owners of the closed liquor firms and 10 former employees, he said.
Murangira warned that more arrests could follow as investigations continue to determine those responsible for the production and distribution of banned liquors.
The Rwandan government has recently intensified efforts to tackle alcohol consumption among people, especially the youth, citing health concerns.
According to Minister of Health Sabin Nsanzimana, more than 500 people have been treated for complications linked to illicit brew this year, including about 50 deaths and more than 100 cases of vision loss. ■
