Hardap police warn inhabitants against drug dealing

REHOBOTH, 16 JUL  – Three incidents of dealing in and possession of cannabis were reported to the police in the Hardap Region over the weekend, with the prohibited substance carrying a combined value of N.dollars 8 430.
The Namibian Police Force’s Crime Investigations Coordinator for Hardap, Deputy Commissioner Eric Clay told Nampa in an interview on Sunday three Namibian men aged 24, 32 and 56 were arrested in separate incidents on Friday and Saturday in Gochas, Stampriet and Maltahöhe.
“On Friday a 56-year-old man was arrested for allegedly dealing in cannabis after he was found with 73 small packets of cannabis wrapped in newspaper at Gomxab !Naus location in Gochas valued at N.dollars 1 350,” Clay said.
On the same day, a 32-year-old man was arrested at Soetdoringlaagte informal settlement in Stampriet after a raid on his house by the police found 76 quarters, one half and four full mandrax tablets and 128 small packets of cannabis valued at N.dollars 7 070.
Another arrest was made on Saturday at Andrewville in Maltahöhe after a 24-year-old man was found in possession of a small packet of cannabis valued at N.dollars 10.
They are expected to appear in court on Monday.
Meanwhile, Clay said drugs valued at N.dollars 254 633 were seized in the region in the 2017/18 financial year.
He said in total 144 men, 41 woman and 13 juveniles were arrested, with most of the suspects being Namibian.
“The illicit drugs confiscated were cannabis weighing 10 962 kilogrammes; 1297.2 grams of skunk cannabis; 112 quarter, 108 half and 582 full mandrax tablets and 31 crack cocaine parcels,” he said.
Clay said the majority of the successes in the region were achieved through valuable information received from the community.
“I want to commend our law abiding citizens. This is a fight the police cannot win alone and we will always rely on our community as the drug dealers and substance abusers are among us, in our houses and schools,” he said.
He said groups such as “Genoeg is Genoeg” and “Parents against Drugs” have been established in Rehoboth, which he commended for their valuable contributions. He encouraged others to come on board and assist the police to eradicate drugs from their neighbourhoods.
“I would also like to commend the officers in the Hardap Region for their hard work and dedication and at the same time send a serious warning to police officers who are aiding criminals. These are the officers who are derailing our efforts and if found, they will face the full wrath of the law,” Clay said.

NAMPA