Alleged drug mules refused bail

THE two foreign women who were found in possession of over 20kg of ephedrine earlier this week were refused bail in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.

Priscilla Masa (26), a Zimbabwean national, and Sisa Heather Buthelezi (38), a South African resident, made a first court appearance before Magistrate Justine Asino.They face a main charge of importing medicine without authorisation.Alternatively, they have to answer to a charge of dealing in potentially dangerous dependence-producing drugs.The second alternative charge which the two women face is possession of potentially dangerous dependence-producing drugs.Despite Asino pointing out to them that they are charged with serious offences, both opted to represent themselves in the matter.Public Prosecutor Taodago Gaweseb informed the magistrate that the State is opposed to granting bail to the two women.In the first instance, he said, the two are foreign nationals with no permanent residential address or assets in Namibia. This increases the likelihood that they may abscond, Gaweseb said.Also, he said, the police investigations are yet to be finalised and the combined value of the drugs is N$10 million.Magistrate Asino agreed with the State and told the accused that if they wish to be released on bail, they would need to lodge a formal bail application.She postponed the case until February 27 next year for further police investigation.The 20 kg of ephedrine, initially thought to be ‘tik’ (crystal methamphetamine), was confiscated from the women in Windhoek on Monday.Ephedrine, which is an ingredient in flu medications and appetite suppressants, is also used to produce the illegal drug crystal methamphetamine. The head of Nampol’s Drug Law Enforcement Unit, Deputy Commissioner Hermie van Zyl, told The Namibian on Tuesday that the women allegedly obtained the drugs in South America, from where they travelled through Angola to Namibia, and hoped to hitch a lift with a trucker through Botswana to their final destination in South Africa.On Monday, the police were tipped off about the suspicious behaviour of the suspects at a Windhoek guesthouse, and Van Zyl immediately sent out a team to investigate. A search revealed packets of ephedrine hidden in their luggage.The value of the confiscated ephedrine seized from the two women is double the total value of drugs confiscated by the police this year.