Staff Reporter
THE two convicted drug smugglers, Grant Noble and Dinath Azhar, who were found guilty of the biggest international drug smuggling case in Namibian history involving 412kg of cocaine valued at N$206 million, were this morning sentenced to 12-year prison terms, with 5 years suspended.
Judge Orben Sibeya of the High Court of Namibia convicted the two Walvis Bay residents on the charges related to drugs dealing, for smuggling 412kg of cocaine into the country during 2018.
Sibeya indicated that the circumstantial evidence relied upon by the State revealed that the two men were knowledgeable that the container sent from Brazil to Namibia had cocaine in it.
The court noted that Zeeki Trading CC, an entity owned by Noble, rented a warehouse in Walvis Bay for a year, without making use of it. It was further established that, while the importation of the container was Zeeki Trading’s first business activity, Noble and Azhar used the CC as a front to import printing paper, with cocaine in it, into Namibia. Their version of defense that they did not know the container had cocaine inside, was dismissed.
The two were arrested on 15 June 2018, after Customs and Police officials at Walvis Bay’s harbour discovered that the container shipped by them from Brazil had 412kg of cocaine, making it the largest consignment of cocaine to have been confiscated in Namibia.
With the suspension of five years from their sentence of 12 years, it means that the two will suffer a jail term of 7 years and with no option of a fine.
A suspended sentence is a custodial sentence where the offender does not have to go to prison, provided that they commit no further offences and comply with any requirements imposed. It serves as a punishment and deterrence at the same time.
Noble, who was 36 years old at the of his arrest is now 40 years of age, while Azhar who was 62 years old, is currently 66 years old.
