A 26-year-old man was arrested after he was reportedly found in possession of illicit goods worth N$135 570 at the Bravo police checkpoint on the Tsumeb-Mpungu road on Friday.
Namibian Police Oshikoto regional commander Theopoline Kalompho-Nashikaku said the man was arrested around 03h00 and faces charges under the Customs and Excise Act for dealing in or possessing illicit goods.
According to Kalompho-Nashikaku, upon arriving at the checkpoint, a search was conducted on a pick-up vehicle which was traveling from Ongha to Tsumeb, which led to the discovery of the illicit goods.
The vehicle’s registered owner, who was in Ongha, had reportedly instructed his nephew to drive the vehicle and deliver the goods to Tsumeb. Police are still searching for the owner.
“The alleged owner of the goods in Tsumeb, who was supposed to receive them, has been identified by the police and is yet to be traced since she is on the run. Police investigations continue,” Kalompho-Nashikaku said.
The illicit goods include 10 boxes of ‘Yes’ cigarettes valued at N$50 000, 85 boxes of whiskey worth N$85 000, 18 sachets of whiskey worth N$90 and two crates of Cuca beer worth N$480.
The suspect will appear in the Tsumeb Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
