Three men, including a  South African citizen have been charged after police bust a significant illegal grow op in northern Namibia.  Police say cannabis to the value of R52 million was seized during the operation during which illicit fields and a processing plant were uncovered.

The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation reports that 42-year old Armand Schultz (pictured above right), 61 year old Johannes Komati (both Namibian citizens), and 29 year old David van der Linden (a South African) (pictured above left) were arrested by police and appeared on Monday 2 June in the Okahandja Magistrates Court where they were charged with dealing and possessing cannabis. They were remanded in custody and are due to appear for a bail hearing on 23 June 2025.

Otjozondjupa Regional Police Commander, Commissioner Philip Hidengwa said the men were arrested at a stop-and-search roadblock on the Okahandja-Hochfield road on 30 May 2025 after 52 “large sachets” of cannabis were found in their vehicle. According to police, the estimated street value of the cannabis is N$52 million (R1 = 1 Namibian dollar).

After the arrest, the men led them to a 1,55 ha cannabis plantation on a farm between the Osire Refugee Settlement and Hochfeld in the Otjozondjupa Region. On site was a small factory allegedly used to dry, weigh and package the harvest.

Meanwhile, Okahandja activist and community leader Gerub Gaseb has petitioned the Okahandja Magistrate's Court against the granting of bail to the three men.

Gaseb said the farm, known as Eendrag, was believed to be the base of operations of a major drug-trafficking syndicate and for this reason bail should be denied.

"Such an operation represents a severe breach of the law and endangers public safety and health on a national scale," the petition reads.

The petition says the drugs were allegedly distributed to Windhoek, Okahandja and its surrounding communities, targeting urban areas where young people and vulnerable populations are at heightened risk.

As such, Gaseb argues that allowing the accused back into society poses an unacceptable danger.

He also says the seriousness of the charges and the potential for a lengthy imprisonment creates a clear flight risk.

"The accused may have access to financial and logistical resources to evade justice, and at least one of the accused is a South African citizen."

"Given the ongoing nature of the investigation and the possibility of further arrests, the accused could interfere with evidence or intimidate witnesses if granted bail," reads the petition.

#