KAYANZA, Feb 24 (ABP) – More than twelve million Burundian francs were collected on Friday, February 20, 2026, during the auction of cows and beverages from smuggling networks in the province of Butanyerera (north).
These products, some of which came from Rwanda and others from Brarudi, had been intercepted by the competent services as part of the fight against illicit trade, a practice that administrative authorities promise to combat relentlessly.
Cows and beverages of the Skol and Virunga brands were seized in Rukere village and zone, in Kayanza commune, on February 2 of this year. They were being fraudulently brought in from Rwanda. The smugglers who were bringing them into Burundi turned back to Rwanda after realizing they were going to be intercepted.
The cows were auctioned for an amount of 9,800,000 BIF. The Skol and Virunga beverages were sold for 1,560,000 BIF.
In addition to these products seized from Rwanda, beverages produced by Brarudi, of the Primus brand, were also auctioned. They had been seized from traders who had exceeded the price set by the State.
These Brarudi beverages were sold for 1,375,600 BIF. In total, all the auctions generated just over 12,000,000 BIF.
The advisor to the governor of Butanyerera province in charge of political and legal matters, Mr. Cyriaque Nikoyagize, who supervised the activity, warned anyone still tempted by smuggling. He stated that it would not be tolerated, especially since it hinders the country’s development by evading the payment of taxes and duties.
He also called on the population to stand together as one to fight against all forms of fraud. It should be recalled that by the 12th of this month, in Butanyerera province, more than 7,500 liters of fuel seized from smuggling networks had already been auctioned, generating more than 33 million francs.