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namib times SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6832 FRIDAY 8 MARCH 2019 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
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More arrests as Namibians Murderer walks free engage in “cannabis debate” Staff Reporter Healing, dealing and concealing. As the debate around the use of cannabis and cannabis products as a natural remedy against various diseases and ailments continues, the Namibian Police too continues to clamp down on people making themselves guilty of cultivating, possessing and allegedly dealing in cannabis. “It is illegal in Namibia to cultivate, deal and use cannabis. Equally, the manufacturing, possession and use of downstream products derived from cannabis, like cannabis oil, is also illegal and guaranteed to expose the alleged transgressor to criminal prosecution”, warned a senior police officer in Swakopmund this week. Adding, the Namibian Police remain committed against the fight against a growing drug trade and drug culture among Namibians. In recent days, since the arrest of Swakopmund resident Cheryl Green on charges of possession of cannabis plants and cannabis products, dozens of people debate the current position of cannabis being illegal in all its forms and the possibility even challenging the Namibian Govern-
ment to legalise cannabis in lieu of countries like Canada which legalised in October last year the recreational use of cannabis by adults. The cannabis debate in all its forms however, does not deter the Namibian Police to continue to exercise its mandate as the primary law enforcement agent in the country. Besides Cheryl Green, a Henties Bay man was arrested recently for the possession of cannabis oil and this week on Tuesday a resident of Meersig in Walvis Bay, Robert Werner Dittmer (27), was arrested after one cannabis plant and three “bankies” of cannabis were found at his home. The value of the cannabis was set at N$6 140 and Dittmer made a first appearance in the Walvis Bay magistrate's court on a charge of cultivating cannabis plants. Dittmer was released on N$8 000 bail. On Wednesday 24years-old Shandre
Huslund was arrested in Kuisebmond, Walvis Bay's Kabeljou Street for the alleged possession of 344 grams of cannabis valued at N$3 440. The Police searched the house in which Huslund resides and found the cannabis neatly concealed. Huslund made a first appearance in the Walvis Bay magistrate's court yesterday and at the time of going to press it was not yet clear whether he applied for bail and if bail was granted upon that. The debate on the one end of the spectrum is focusing on the medicinal value of cannabis and the possession of cannabis for personal use by those with medical conditions of sort. It has also resulted in at least one amateur community activist using the cannabis debate to re-emerge from obscurity with the hope of launching a career out of it. On the opposite side of the debate are NamiContinues on page 2
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Contractors for low-cost houses announcedSwakopmund
Above: The cannabis plant found at Dittmer’s home. Picture taken of Dittmer after his arrest. More on page 2.
Theft of dogs at alarming levels
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Locker vom Hocker
Press Statement The prevalence of the theft of dogs from owners' premises at Swakopmund prompted the local S.P.C.A. this week to warn the coastal public about this crime which is regarded as on the increase and reaching alarming levels. The Swakopmund branch of the S.P.C.A. in a statement warns: “Dog theft is real. It is happening on a regular basis with an alarming increase in recent weeks. It is alleged that a syndicate is using children to steal dogs either while owners are asleep at night or away from their homes during the day. We've had 3 reported cases this past week, luckily 2 dogs were found by their owners and kind assistance from the police. Both owners opened cases of theft at Nampol against the culprits. These 2 kids are well known for stealing dogs and according to their confession the puppy was intended to be shipped to Angola for dog fighting. They were arrested last night after they were caught with the puppy, but later released. They are swift and the dogs are hidden at various unknown locations, especially in Mondesa until they can be transported
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Swakopmund swimmers at Zone IV
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