Women caught with meth denied bail

Two women, who were caught trying to smuggle crystal methamphetamine worth almost N$1.4 million from Namibia to Brazil last week, were on Friday denied bail in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court.

Namibian national Antonia Garises (31) and Tsitsi Muranenhamo (33) from Zimbabwe made their first court appearance before magistrate Atutala Shikalepo on a count of dealing in potentially dangerous dependence producing drugs.

Initial police reports only mentioned one woman.

According to court documents, the crystal methamphetamine weighs 2 740 grams and has a street value of approximately N$1 370 000.

During their first court appearance, State prosecutor Edel Upindi strongly objected to release the accused on bail.

“The State is opposing to bail at this stage, as the offence is serious and there is fear that there would be interference with investigations. It would also not be in the interest of the public or administration of justice,” explained Upindi.

The court postponed the case to 4 June for further police investigations, laboratory results and for the accused to apply for legal representation with the Directorate of Legal Aid. The accused have been remanded at the Seeis Police station.

According to police reports, the drugs were sniffed out by dogs during a police search at the airport.

New Era has it on good authority that the enormous amount of drugs were covered with carbon, plastic and sellotape, and then hidden inside the lining of a suitcase.

It is alleged the suspects received the suitcase from a yet unknown female in Windhoek to transport to Brazil.