Renthia Kaimbi
Nearly N$900 000 worth of narcotics were seized in three separate police operations carried out in Walvis Bay over four days.
The first operation took place on Saturday afternoon after police received information that drugs were buried in the yard of a house on Theo Ben Gurirab Street.
The property was believed to be used as a base by a suspected dealer.
When officers arrived, they found a 30-year-old man digging in the yard. Police said the suspect dropped two small ziplock bags of crack cocaine when he saw them.
A body search led to the discovery of a bankie of cannabis in his pocket.
Officers recovered 80 blocks and units of crack cocaine in different sizes from the yard. The drugs seized in this operation are valued at N$16 400. The suspect appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
On Tuesday morning, police carried out a second operation at a house on Astronaut Street. Acting on intelligence about a suspected dealer operating from the residence, members of the Namibian Police’s tactical unit raided the house shortly after midday.
Erongo police confirmed that they recovered 14.484 kilograms of cannabis and 952 full Mandrax tablets. The drugs have an estimated value of N$838 440.
A 29-year-old man was arrested at the scene. He is expected to appear in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. He faces a charge of dealing in cannabis and Mandrax tablets under Section 2(a) of Act 41 of 1971.
Later that same day at around 18h15, police returned to Theo Ben Gurirab Street for a separate operation. According to Erongo police spokesperson senior inspector Judith Shomongula, officers had received information that a suspect was expecting a parcel containing illegal drugs.
“Police officers executed an operation which led to the discovery of 395 grams of high-grade cannabis, 12 grams of white cocaine powder, and 11 grams of cream cocaine powder, and the arrest of the parcel’s recipient,” Shomongula said.
The drugs seized in this operation are valued at N$51 000. A 39-year-old Namibian man appeared in court yesterday on charges of dealing in cannabis and cocaine powder, with alternative counts of possession.
In total, the three operations led to the seizure of narcotics valued at about N$905 840 and the arrest of three suspects.
Shomongula thanked members of the public for assisting police with information.
“The Erongo police continue appreciating members of the public for the accurate information they share with the police to combat crime and social disorder,” she said.
All three investigations remain ongoing as police follow up on leads linked to the cases.
