WINDHOEK – The expected start of the “Ephedrine Trial” was delayed on Monday ostensibly for lack of time, but New Era has it on good authority that it was because the State could not find the statute under which the charges were laid.
Zimbabwean national Pricilla Masa, 26, and South African citizen Sisa Heather Buthelezi, 38, are charged with dealing in potentially dangerous dependence-producing drugs – contravening Section 3(a) read with Sections 1, 3(i), 7, 8, 10, 14 and Part III of the Schedule of Act 41 of 1972 as amended and the second alternative charge of drugs – possession of potentially dangerous dependence-producing drugs – contravening Section 3(a) read with Sections 1, 3(i), 7, 8, 10, 14 and Part III of the Schedule of Act 41 of 1972 as amended.
A third alternative charge of contravening Section 29 of Act 13 of 2003, which prohibits importing medicine without medicatory authorisation, was withdrawn by the State at an earlier appearance. At the time Vetu Uanivi, who represents the accused, told this reporter he considered pleading guilty on the medicine charge, but that after the State turnaround he advised his clients against it.
After hearing State prosecutor George Mhoney, Magistrate Ingrid Unengu postponed the matter to February 13 and 14 next year for plea and trial.
On the request of Uanivi she made it a final remand.
Uanivi also asked the court to order that they be remanded at Walvis Bay Prison as Masa has an eight-month-old baby and Walvis Bay has the best facilities. Masa was pregnant when she was arrested and gave birth to the baby boy while in custody.
Ephedrine is one of the main ingredients used in the making of flu medicines and appetite suppressants and is also a sought after ingredient in the making of habit forming drugs such as “tik”, a highly addictive drug popular in the Western Cape, and ecstasy, a drug popular particularly with nightclub patrons.
The suspects were apprehended on Monday December 17 at a guesthouse in Windhoek after apparent suspicious behaviour on their part were relayed to the police and the drug unit were dispatched to the scene where a search revealed 20.1kg of the powder in hidden compartments of their luggage.
It is alleged that Masa was in possession of 9.930kg of the drug with an estimated worth of N$5 million, while Buthelezi had 10.260kg of the substance in her luggage worth N$5 million.
By Roland Routh