Police descend on suspected dealer’s fortress

THE Drug Law Enforcement unit of the police were shocked to find a suspected dealer had fortified his home to the extent that one officer quipped that it was more secure than a jail cell.

Police said the 27yearold is a wellknown drug dealer in Windhoek’s Khomasdal area and was out on bail of N$5 000 and N$1 500, respectively, after he was arrested on similar charges in 2015 and earlier this year.

Undercover officers had the suspect under surveillance since his last release and on Friday initiated two buys, where an officer purchased a total of N$500 worth of crack cocaine before the unit swooped in shortly afterwards.

Vaulting over the wall and razor wire, officers managed to evade the suspect’s five guard dogs and apprehended him before he could dispose of 35 rocks of cocaine, valued at N$ 3 500, down a drain on the property.

The suspect was also found in possession of N$2 500 in cash, and a small amount of cannabis which he was busy smoking as the authorities entered the property.

Deputy commissioner Hermias van Zyl, commander of the drug enforcement unit, was amazed to see that the suspect had fortified the house with steel doors, barricades and heavy metal grates on all the windows.

“He put up all this since he was released earlier this year. It’s unbelievable the lengths he went to to make sure nobody gets in here.

It’s like a selfmade prison. There’s not even proper ventilation because of all the improvised security barriers he put up,” he stated.

“But we’re happy we have him in custody again, and we’re confident he won’t get bail this time,” the police officer added.

One officer was reportedly bitten by one of the dogs, but it was not severe and did not deter his colleagues from getting their suspect.

“We’ve struggled with this suspect. There was one time when we spent 15 minutes trying to get into the house while he was inside, even trying to go through the roof. Luckily, one of the members spotted him through a window and held him at gunpoint to stop him from destroying evidence. These security upgrades were definitely something else, but it won’t stop us from getting any suspect,” another officer stated.

Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi urged communities to assist authorities in rooting out negative elements in their communities.

“People know what is happening in their areas, but they turn a blind eye, not thinking that those negative influences can affect their family and other members of the community. Report any suspicious behaviour to the police so that we can take these drugs off our streets and safeguard our communities,” she urged.

The suspect is expected to appear in the Katutura Magistrate’s Court today, and police investigations are ongoing.