Police warn of rising threat of drugs in Namibia

The Namibian Police have warned of a growing threat of drug abuse and trafficking in the country, particularly among young people.Police chief Joseph Shikongo said law enforcement continues to face mounting challenges from organised drug trafficking networks and local dealers distributing substances such as cocaine, mandrax, ecstasy, cannabis and crystal meth.In a statement marking International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday, Shikongo reaffirmed the police’s commitment to stepping up operations against drug syndicates and called for nationwide cooperation in tackling the crisis.“These substances are destroying lives, tearing apart families and fuelling a cycle of crime and hopelessness across our society,” Shikongo said.The police chief also highlighted concern about an increasing number of young Namibians being lured into drug networks, either as users or as couriers. “The youth are being lured into the dark world of drugs... and once trapped, many find it difficult to escape the cycle of addiction and crime,” he noted.Addressing the nation’s youth directly, Shikongo warned against the false promise of drugs. “Your life is precious. Do not be deceived by the temporary illusion of escape that drugs offer. They will rob you of your dreams, your health and your future.”Police efforts Shikongo vowed that the police would continue its intelligence-led operations and deepen collaboration with other national agencies and international partners to disrupt drug networks. He specifically referred to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as a key ally in the country’s anti-drug efforts.However, Shikongo stressed that policing alone would not solve the crisis. “We must also invest in demand reduction strategies: prevention, education, treatment, rehabilitation, and community empowerment,” he stated.To this end, the police are working with schools, youth organisations, parents, religious institutions and government ministries to raise awareness and build resilience against drug abuse. No new statsThe police released drug seizure statistics for 2023. However, when asked for more recent figures, police spokesperson Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi referred Namibian Sun to the artificial intelligence programme ChatGPT, without further clarification. When asked about the figures for drug seizures in 2025, Shikwambi replied: "I don't know."

Police warn of rising threat of drugs in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-17

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Police warn of rising threat of drugs in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-17

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