Charges against alleged drug dealer put on ice

CHARGES against an alleged “drug baron” had to be temporarily withdrawn in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court last week because of outstanding laboratory results.

The case of Gavin Noble (42), whom the Police described as an alleged “drug baron and one of the biggest drug dealers in the country” shortly after his arrest on January 2 2003, had to be stopped on Thursday. According to State prosecutor, Trudie de Villiers, Noble could not plead without the lab results being available.”The results have been outstanding for more than a year because of a huge backlog at the forensic laboratory in Windhoek,” said De Villiers.She said the case would be re-opened and Noble charged again as soon as the results were available.”The case has not been withdrawn for any other reason,” she said.According to Police reports at the time of Noble’s arrest, he was caught in a Police trap at his Narraville home.An informer was sent to test buy nine pieces of crack cocaine, two cocaine powder units, three LSD cards and seven halves and six quarters of ecstasy.The total value of the drugs were N$6 060.Noble was released on N$15 000 bail after his first court appearance.According to State prosecutor, Trudie de Villiers, Noble could not plead without the lab results being available. “The results have been outstanding for more than a year because of a huge backlog at the forensic laboratory in Windhoek,” said De Villiers. She said the case would be re-opened and Noble charged again as soon as the results were available. “The case has not been withdrawn for any other reason,” she said. According to Police reports at the time of Noble’s arrest, he was caught in a Police trap at his Narraville home. An informer was sent to test buy nine pieces of crack cocaine, two cocaine powder units, three LSD cards and seven halves and six quarters of ecstasy. The total value of the drugs were N$6 060. Noble was released on N$15 000 bail after his first court appearance.