RUNDU – An alleged drug dealer was on Monday granted bail of N$3 000 when she appeared in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on a charge of dealing in cannabis.
Elizabeth Malilo Kasera was arrested on Friday after being found in possession of 19 parcels of cannabis with a street value of N$3 003.
The police surprised the 28-year-old at her homestead at Siudiva village in the Nkurenkuru area and found the cannabis during their search after a tip-off.
In another similar case, Petrus Kapesa, who the police also arrested on Friday, was also granted bail of the same amount by the Rundu Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The 42-year-old Kapesa was nabbed for 40 parcels of cannabis, valued at N$6 243-50, which was found buried in his yard at the same village as Kasera at Siudiva village in Kavango West.
Despite both being granted bail, they are still in custody, as they have not paid the bail. Their cases were remanded for the same day, 16 September, for police investigations.
“The search was conducted at their residences, as members of the public tipped the police off and they went to search their homes and found the cannabis there,” said Abner Agas, the crime investigations coordinator for Kavango West.
Agas told New Era that drugs have become a problem in Kavango West, although not in large quantities.
He also said some members of the community, including women, have become dealers.
“The common drug is cannabis, which is mostly being smuggled in from Angola, across the Kavango River, and some of the dealers we managed to arrest previously said they got their supply from Rundu in Kavango East,” he said.
“We are on the ground. We have an operation running and we have officers along the river on the lookout for those crossing illegally with smuggled goods and we are doing that to curb the smuggling of goods, including drugs,” he said.
Agas sent a stern warning to those dealing drugs that whoever is involved in dealing and using drugs and other crimes will be brought to book and no stone will be left unturned.
The deputy commissioner also urged community members to continue informing the police on illegal activities.