Namibian Police have intensified their clampdown on Windhoek cannabis users at the same time that the government has called for public input on relaxing prohibitionist legislation.  Cannabis has also hit the headlines with news of the major bust in Northern Namibia, in which police say R52 mllion of illicit cannabis was seized.

It hasn’t been a good fortnight for cannabis users in Windhoek. This week police carried out a raid on Zoo Park, a populars hangout for smokers, and arrested six people for possession. This was the second time in as many weeks that the police raided Zoo Park and lobby groups have warned people to be vigiliant in the area.

The supply of cannabis to Windhoek black market has also been reportedly disrupted by the major bust at Okahandja in Northern Namibia in which police say they seized R52 million of illegal cannabis (Editors note: from the pictures released by the police of the confiscated ‘large sachets’ of cannabis this estimation seems to be wildly exaggerated).

Three men were arrested during the operation and have been remanded in custody on ‘dagga dealing’ charges until 23 June 2025. One of the three, 29 year-old South African David van der Linden, was reportedly driving a truck full of cannabis when he was stopped at a roadblock on the Okahandja-Hochfield road. He reportedly led police back to the farm, known as Eendrag, where a hectare-large cannabis plantation and small processing facility were found. The farm manager, 42 year old Armand Schultz and a farm laboure, 61 year old Johannes Komati, were then arrested.

The community have petitioned the Okahandja Magistrates Court to refuse bail to the accused. Local leader Gerub Gaseb said the Eendrag cannabis operation was reponsible for widespread distribution and represented a threat to public health. "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.

Meanwhile petitions of a different kind will be submitted to the Namibian government today that could shape the future of the country’s cannabis laws.

This followed a government notice published last month inviting the public to submit their views as to the laws they want amended or suggest new legislation regarding cannabis.

The deadline for submissions is this Friday, 13 June 2025.

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