Namibian Deputy Police Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi says authorities are seriously concerned about drug trafficking and abuse in the country.

His comments follow the arrest of a 60-year-old woman entering Namibia from South Africa at the Ariamsvlei Border Post in the //Kharas region on 13 January 2025, allegedly found in possession methamphetamine valued at N$1,3 million. Police say the woman is due to appear in court soon.

The Namibian reports that police confiscated 308 kg of cannabis in December 2024, as well as mandrax (10 031 tablets), crack cocaine (307 units), and powder cocaine (8.8kg). During the operations 126 people were arrested - 118 Namibians, four Angolans, one South African, two Zambians, and one Tanzanian.

On 12 January 2025 a 55-year-old mother and her 24-year-old daughter were arrested near Groot-Aub, south of Windhoek, allegedly with 187 cannabis plants weighing over 35kg with an estimated value of N$1.7 million.

Shikwambi said  "Whether in small or huge quantities. This is a serious concern. Now we even have mothers who are our elders, mentors or educators dealing in drugs. It is very worrisome."

"Namibia, we have become serious addicts or users, and dealers of drugs, and this is a very serious concern which requires collective collaboration if we want to assist ourselves as a nation and especially save our children."

The Namibian reported last October that 25 Namibians have been arrested in Brazil since 2016 for drug trafficking.

These include women who were allegedly offered up to N$40 000 to carry drugs into the South American country.

The international relations ministry's executive director, Penda Naanda, said most of the apprehended suspects were women.

Naanda said this increase in drug mules might affect Namibia's international status.

In August last year, alleged Namibian drug mule Pauline Mbangula (30) was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa after more than 60 bullets of cocaine were discovered in her stomach. Mbangula was travelling from Brazil.

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