A South African national Michael Mpangala, charged with dealing in cocaine worth more than N$5 million, has been remanded in custody after appearing in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The Namibian Police late on Monday announced a case of Contravention of Act 41/71 Section 2 (C) Dealing in cocaine powder was opened at the Seeis Police Station on  Sunday, 1 January 2023, around 15h20.

Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi said a South African man was intercepted at Hosea Kutako International Airport by customs officials while searching his luggage. 

“They discovered, through the scanner, suspected drugs, concealed in the luggage. The suspect was consequently requested to open his luggage, which he did – and as result, the officials found white parcels of cocaine powder. The customs officials alerted the Namibian Police Force K-9 as well as the Drug Law enforcement officers,” the report reads. 

The report further indicated that the cocaine was confirmed and weighed in the presence of the suspect and officials. 

“The weight is recorded as 10 270 kg of cocaine powder with an estimated value of N$5 million. The suspect is a 44-year-old South African male, who was coming from Brazil to deliver drugs to Okahandja, Namibia,” reads the police report.

 Mpangala’s case was postponed to 16 January 2023 for a formal bail application.

The Namibia Revenue Authority’s (NamRA) acting chief of strategic communications and support engagements, Nesla Uatanaua, said in line with NamRA’s mandate of protecting Namibian society against the importation and exportation of illicit goods, our officials at the Hosea Kutako International Airport on Sunday intercepted a large consignment of cocaine. 

According to Uatanaua, the drugs were discovered following the scanning process, and the cocaine was valued at N$5.1 million. 

“Together with the Namibian police and other law enforcement agencies, NamRA will continue to enforce the applicable statutory framework, especially in the protection of the Namibian society against harmful substances, such as the intercepted cocaine, which can be highly addictive when used,” she said.

- ljason@nepc.com.na