N$5.7m drug bust suspects denied bail
FIVE men who were arrested on Monday for being in possession of cannabis worth N$5.7 million have been remanded in police custody. Namibian nationals Shaun Krems (25), Rhensley Auchab (27) and Sydney Garoeb (25) made their first court appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday alongside Zimbabwean Kabotsa Willard (32) and Paul Jonas (32), a Tanzanian citizen.
The group has been charged with a count of illegal drug dealing, and an alternative charge of drug possession.
The prosecution alleges that the accused were found in possession of cannabis with an estimated value of N$5 740 500 on Monday at Prosperita in Windhoek.
The suspects were arrested during an undercover operation by the Namibian police.
During their court appearance before magistrate Celma Amadhila, prosecutor Tatelo Lusepani informed the court about a possibility of having additional charges added to the case, and more suspects to be arrested.
Lusepani said the State strongly objects to the accused’s release on bail as investigations are still underway, with three more witness statements to be obtained.
Furthermore, the offences the accused face are of a serious nature, and it would thus not be in the public’s interest if Krems and his coaccused are released on bail.
The State also objects to the accused’s release on bail as “accused 3 and 4 (Krems and Auchab) have previous convictions on charges of a similar nature, and there is a fear that they might re-offend if granted bail”.
On Willard and Jonas, Lusepani said the State fears they might abscond to their native countries, and not stand trial.
Magistrate Amadhila then informed them of their rights to lodge formal bail applications if they wished to be released on bail, pending the finalisation of their case.
The court postponed the case to 26 January 2022 for further police investigations, and for the accused to obtain legal representation.
All accused are being kept in police custody at the Windhoek police station.