THE Congolese man who was arrested on Tuesday at Swakopmund for being in possession of 27 kilogrammes of dagga with a street value of N$1,35 million, has made his first appearance in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court.
Gilbert Kalenga (31) appeared before magistrate Conchita Olivier on Thursday on a charge of dealing in and/or being in possession of illicit drugs. He is a resident of the Osire refugee camp, according to police sources.
Kalenga was not asked to plead, but indicated that he would make a formal bail application. State prosecutor Beate Mwiya opposed bail, stating that the charges Kalenga was facing were serious and that he had other pending matters related to the possession of illicit drugs.
The hearing of his bail application was scheduled for 23 June. He was remanded in custody till then.
Kalenga was arrested at a complex opposite a service station situated on the busy Nelson Mandela Street in Swakopmund.
Erongo police spokesperson, inspector Ileni Shapumba, said Kalenga’s arrest was the result of a covert joint operation between Otjozondjupa and Erongo police forces.
“Our members from the drug law enforcement subdivision in the two regions kept surveillance on the alleged drug dealer which resulted in his arrest. We applaud the members involved,” he said.
Kalenga is represented by Monty Karuaihe.
On the day Kalenga appeared at Swakopmund, the Namibian police made a drug bust of 35,5kg of cannabis with a street value of value of N$1,77 million at Ariaamsvlei and two suspects were arrested.
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