Alleged drug dealers allowed to appeal against bail refusal

WINDHOEK, 30 OCT – Four people arrested earlier this year while allegedly in illegal possession of drugs worth over N$200 000, were on Tuesday allowed to appeal in the High Court against the refusal of bail by the lower courts.
The four were arrested on 20 July by members of the Namibian Police Force’s Drug Law Enforcement Unit when the police raided the house of an alleged drug dealer in the Kleine Kuppe residential area where the drugs, ranging from cannabis to cocaine were discovered.
Buruxa Buru Bukus, 30, Lee Douglas Surtees Jenkins, 19, Wesley Welgemoed, 19, and Verena Salzmann, 30, were allowed to appeal against the refusal of bail when they appeared before High Court Deputy Judge-President Hosea Angula on Tuesday.
The group’s appeal application against the refusal of bail is now set down to be heard in the High Court on 19 November 2018 and the date for the hearing was decided upon as per agreement reached between the accused’s defence lawyer, Trevor Brockerhoff and prosecution representative, Erick Moyo in court on Tuesday.
The Windhoek Magistrate’s Court along Lüderitz Street refused to release the four on bail on 28 August 2018, following strong objections by Senior Public Prosecutor, Rowan van Wyk.
In the matter, a police crime report said the confiscated drugs included skunk (cannabis), MDMA, LSD, ecstasy, shrooms (also known as magic mushrooms), cocaine, CAT, Schedule 5 medicine, steroids and needles.
The police also discovered a firearm and ammunition.
The four accused comprising of two Namibians, one German national and a South African national, face charges of dealing in illicit drugs, illegal possession of drugs, illegal transportation of drugs, assault of a police officer, pointing of a firearm as well as attempting to escape from lawful police custody.
They remain in police custody pending the hearing of the appeal against bail refusal on 19 November 2018.
(NAMPA)