Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Namibian Police (Nampol) confiscated illegal drugs worth over N$106 million and arrested 3,264 suspects between January 2023 and December 2024.
The figures were released as the country marked the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday.
In 2023, police recorded drug seizures valued at N$49.3 million.
This amount increased to N$56.6 million in 2024. The seized substances included cannabis, mandrax, cocaine, crack cocaine, MDMA, LSD, methcathinone, ecstasy, and crystal meth.
Cannabis made up most of the confiscations. In 2023, police seized cannabis worth over N$40.3 million (4,031,556.87 kg), and in 2024, cannabis worth N$44.2 million (4,420,480.92 kg).
Mandrax seizures grew from N$1.3 million (11,228 tablets) in 2023 to N$7.1 million (59,814 tablets) in 2024.
Cocaine powder seizures dropped from N$7.45 million (14,902.83 kg) to N$5.04 million (10,081 kg), while crack cocaine increased from N$145,827 (1,458 units) to N$193,300 (1,933 units).
Police also seized smaller quantities of MDMA, LSD, ecstasy, methcathinone, and crystal meth.
Of those arrested, 3,060 were Namibians and 204 were foreign nationals. In 2023, 92 foreign nationals were arrested, and in 2024, the number rose to 112.
These included citizens of Angola, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zambia, Nigeria, Uganda, Mozambique, Eswatini, Botswana, Sudan, and Cuba.
Inspector General Joseph Shikongo says drug trafficking in Namibia is increasingly tied to organised crime.
“The Namibian Police Force continues to face a growing challenge from drug trafficking syndicates and local networks who smuggle and distribute illicit substances. What is even more alarming is the deliberate targeting of young people, who are lured into drug use or trafficking,” Shikongo said.
He said the police are stepping up intelligence-led operations, working with other agencies, and building cross-border partnerships.
“We are also working with schools, parents, youth organisations, and religious institutions to raise awareness and build resilience among our young people,” he said.
He called on the public to support people struggling with addiction “not with judgment, but with compassion and help”.
The ministry of health and social services said in a statement that drug and alcohol abuse remain a major public health issue.
“The Ministry, in collaboration with development partners, is strengthening and establishing more intervention programmes to address the harmful effects caused by these social ills,” the statement read.
In a recent case, police arrested three suspects at Farm Eendrag, between Osire and Hochfeld in the Otjozondjupa Region, after discovering a large cannabis plantation and processing site worth over N$52 million.
The suspects, a 43-year-old farm owner, a 27-year-old farm manager, and a driver, were linked to an earlier seizure of dagga at an Okahandja roadblock.
