The truck driver who reportedly carried drugs with a combined value of more than N$11 million was granted bail of N$50 000 with conditions in the Gobabis Magistrate’s Court last week.

Magistrate Eden Iyambo ordered Augustus Nambinga (47) to surrender his travelling documents to the investigating officer. He is also not allowed to travel outside Namibia and must report to the police in Windhoek every Friday between 08h00 and 18h00.

The bail application was brought by Salomon Kanyemba on a private instruction and prosecutor Kornelia Shimpanda opposed bail citing the seriousness of the offence and the value of the contraband. Iyambo, however, found that Nambinga, who cooperated with the police in tracing the various owners of the drugs, was a viable candidate for bail with the conditions attached.

The unlawful cargo was identified during a routine scan and analysis by customs officials. Nambinga was arrested after scanned images at the Gobabis border post exposed part of the load entering the country differed from declared documents during Easter weekend. 

Upon questioning, he indicated the consignment was destined for different owners in Windhoek which prompted the police to conduct a control delivery operation. This helped law enforcement officers to swiftly arrest the owners.

The other accused who were already released on bail are Maritz Joel Garoeb (23), Elton Keib (37), Charlie Rooi (35), Tangeni Shaanika (28), Elmon Afrikaner (32), Raul Ramazan (23), Frans Awaseb (26), Arafat Neuako (30) and Manase Boois (18) all from Windhoek.

According to a statement from the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA), a subsequent physical inspection revealed the truck was carrying crack cocaine worth N$39 000, more than 10 000 mandrax tablets valued at more than N$1.2 million and cannabis valued at over N$10 million. In addition, seven vehicles used by the suspects to collect the illegal consignment were also seized during the operation. 

The matter will return to the Gobabis Magistrate’s Court on 13 July.