Staff Reporter
ON Sunday evening, a Namibian Defence Force driver and two other members of the force were detained at the Oshivelo checkpoint when illegal goods were discovered in their work vehicle.
According to the Oshikoto police, a truck with registration number NDF4515, belonging to the Ministry of Defence, approached the checkpoint from the north. The truck was stopped and searched, and bags of whiskey were found inside.
The driver was instructed to drive into the station and was arrested for violating the Customs and Excise Act 20/1998 sec 4R/W sec 90(1), and sec 105 possession of prohibited goods.
Authorities said that upon counting the illicit goods in relation to the first suspect, it was found that the truck was carrying 1000 small boxes of Yes cigarettes and 279 packs of Best whisky, with a combined value of N$47,900.00.
The first suspect, a 45-year-old Namibian man serving in the 44th Artillery Regiment in Walvis Bay with the rank of sergeant in the Defence Force, appeared at the Tsumeb Magistrate Court on 05.06.2023 and was granted bail of N$20,000.00. His case was postponed to 01 September 2023.
The second suspect, a 36-year-old member of the force, was found with 862 packs of Best whisky valued at N$86,200.00, and 5 packs of Yes cigarettes valued at N$1,000.00, with a total value of N$87,200.00. He also appeared at the Tsumeb Magistrate Court and was granted bail of N$15,000.00. His case was postponed to 16 June 2023.
The third suspect, a 54-year-old member of the force, was found with 41 packs of Best whisky valued at N$4,100.00. She appeared at the Tsumeb Magistrate Court on 05.06.2023 and was fined N$4,000.00 or given a 10-month imprisonment sentence.
