Africa-Press – Namibia. BETWEEN 2019 and 2022, the Namibian Police have arrested a total of 525 people at Rehoboth in connection with drug-related crimes.
“Of that number, 393 were male, while 53 females were arrested for their involvement in dealing in various drugs, such as mandrax, cannabis, crack cocaine, and other drugs with a combined value of N$11 946 230,” said deputy inspector general for operations major general Joseph Shikongo.
Shikongo, who was speaking at a drug awareness campaign held at Rehoboth on Friday, said the police are challenged by a lack of resources, which prevents officers from effectively carrying out their tasks.
“I am therefore particularly calling on the youth and members of the public to join hands with law enforcement in order to succeed in fighting crimes in our communities,” urged Shikongo.
Speaking at the same occasion, police regional commander for the Hardap region, commissioner Sydney Philander said Rehoboth has been infiltrated by evil deeds and is turning into a crime hotspot.
Crime statistics at the town for 2021/2022 rose by 46%, with alcohol and drug abuse identified as the main contributing factors of criminal incidents such as assault and rape.
“We have also observed that house breaking and robberies have become the order of day as drug addicts steal items in order to get money to feed their habits.
“Drug dealing at Rehoboth has advanced to a point that dealers have recruited elderly women, and young school-going children as their peddlers to make their illicit products more accessible on the streets, as well as at schools. Dealers have gone to the extent of recruiting even law enforcement officers to act as their agents, by tipping them off when police raid operations are planned. These officers are abusing their positions. We have a total value of N$742 780 00 worth of drugs confiscated in the Hardap region this year alone,” revealed Philander.
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