Kleine Kuppe drug stash seized

A woman with German citizenship, Namibian man and two South African males made their first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Monday following a heated drug raid on Friday at Kleine Kuppe, in which police discovered a wide range of illegal narcotics, legal drugs and a firearm.

According to the charges laid against the four suspects, including assault of a police officer and pointing of a firearm, the suspects resisted arrest but were overcome by police officers on the scene.

They remain behind bars after bail was denied and the case has been postponed to 7 September for further investigations.

The suspects include German expatriate Verena Salzmann and Buruxa Butkus, both of whom appeared on credit card scam charges in Swakopmund's magistrate court five years ago.

The other two suspects arrested on Friday during the drug bust are Lee Douglas Jenkins and Wesley Welgemoed.

In addition to skunk, MDMA, LSD, ecstasy, magic mushrooms, cocaine, cat, schedule five medication and steroids, the drug law-enforcement officers seized needles, a firearm, ammunition and a cellphone.

Police chief inspector Kaunapawa Shikwambi explained the drugs are still being evaluated and counted and the total value of the haul could increase.

The suspects were charged with dealing, possession and transportation of drugs, assault of a police officer, pointing of a firearm, an attempt to escape from lawful custody, in addition to charges in terms of the Medicines and Pharmacy Act and under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

In another successful police operation conducted on Saturday by the Khomas protected resources division in Okahandja, two Namibian males aged 29 and 24 were arrested after they were found in possession of one live pangolin and two pangolin skins valued at a total of N$150 000.

The operation took place at the Engen Service Station in Okahandja.

A Chinese national (47) is behind bars after he was arrested at Hosea Kutako International Airport on Friday in possession of more than N$2 891 million (US$215 900) in cash, in addition to various other denominations, including rand and Namibian dollars, estimated at over N$100 000.

The suspect was on his way to China and failed to declare the money at the airport, as required by law.

He was expected to make his first appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court yesterday. The money has been confiscated and was taken in for safekeeping.

Police investigations continue.

Police are also investigating an armed robbery in which four suspects wielding a knife, machete and pistol broke into an Academia residence on Friday night and stole items valued at N$60 000, in addition to a Toyota Hilux double cab bakkie.

The vehicle was found abandoned at the Havana informal settlement's dumping site the next day, without its battery.

In addition to the vehicle, the armed robbers fled with five cellphones, two televisions, decoders, two laptops, and a sound system. They also stole food from the freezer and dry food items.

The investigation continues and so far no arrests or recovery of the stolen items have been made.

Police are also investigating an attempted armed robbery which took place on Sunday at around 01:10 at a residence in Auasblick, in Sean MacBride Street.

According to the police crime report, four suspects wearing balaclavas and armed with at least two pistols entered the residence by cutting the electric fence.

Seven occupants were in the house at the time, and two of them spotted the intruders and alerted the others.

When confronted, the suspects retreated but one of them fired a shot. Nothing was taken from the house.

JANA-MARI SMITH