N$37m in drugs seized last year

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

Drugs to the value of more than N$37 million were confiscated last year in Namibia, while more than 1 000 suspects were arrested.

Last month, the Namibian police seized various types of drugs with an estimated value of more than N$370 000, and 132 suspects were arrested in connection with drug-related crimes.

Of these suspects, 119 were Namibians, nine Zambians, one German national, a South African, an Angolan and a Zimbabwean.

Cannabis was the most seized drug, followed by mandrax, LSD stickers and crack cocaine.

According to the drug seizure and arrest report for December, a total of N$375 860 in drugs was confiscated.

This included 32 238 kg of cannabis to the value of N$322 380, 352 mandrax tablets to the value of N$42 240, 41 LSD stickers to the value of N$4 920 and 46 units of crack cocaine to the value of N$4 600.

Police also confiscated two grams of cocaine powder, valued at N$1 000, and six capsules of MDMA (ecstasy or molly) to the value of N$720.

Since February to December last year, 1 171 suspects were arrested in connection with drug-related crimes.

According to statistics from the Namibian police, during this period, drugs to the value of more than N$37.4 million were confiscated in Namibia, while 1 073 Namibians were arrested.

Statistics for January were not available.

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