2015-05-07Staff Report 2 The trial of two women arrested in December 2012 for possession of illicit drugs was yesterday remanded to May 18 in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court for continuation of trial. Zimbabwean national Priscilla Masa, 26, and Sisa Heather Buthelezi, 38, from South Africa appeared before magistrate Ingrid Lerato Unengu. The alleged drug mules denied the charges against them when they entered pleas of “not guilty” at the start of their trial on February 14, 2014. The two are each charged with illegally dealing in prohibited dangerous substances, illegally importing prohibited drugs into Namibia, and illegal possession of prohibited drugs. The accused were apprehended three years ago at a guest house in Windhoek after apparent suspicious behaviour on their part was communicated to the police. When the drug squad arrived at the guest house a search yielded 20.1kg of the drug concealed in the hidden compartments of their luggage. It is alleged Masa was in possession of 9.930kg of the substance, while Buthelezi was in possession of 10.260kg of the substance, which combined were valued at around N$10 million. The substance found in their possession has been identified as Ephedrine Schedule IV, used to manufacture cold and flu medicines and other varieties of medicines. It is reported drug dealers also use this substance to make illicit drugs, among others ‘Tik’ (crystal methamphetamine), Mandrax and Ecstasy. In January the two were informed that their trial had been postponed to March to allow for the complete typing of a transcript record for their trial. 2015-05-07Staff Report 2
