Windhoek — Nine people, including four women, were arrested in separate cases of possession of and dealing in cannabis, with a combined weight of 1394 grammes and a street value of N$4 500.

Another man was found in possession of a firearm without a licence. The arrested individuals will appear in the Grootfontein Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Members of the Namibian Police in the Otjozondjupa Region swooped through the town when they conducted a weekend special operation nicknamed 'Walya Shakakodhi Tala Pombada,' which translates loosely as, 'If you commit a crime, be prepared to face the law.'

During the operation, the police focused on illegal dealing and possession of dagga and other drugs, liquor outlets, illegal firearms and road traffic offences. Motorists and drivers who contravened road traffic offences were brought to book.

Traffic citations or tickets to the value of N$40 500 were issued.

Residents in the town thanked the police for closing shebeens and bars on time, saying this allowed the town to be calm from 24h00 for the first time in a long while.

Some described the operation as historic, since it was the first time this has ever happened in Grootfontein.

The Regional Crime Investigations Co-coordinator of the Otjozondjupa Region, Deputy Commissioner Moses Khairabeb, who headed the operation warned people there will be no mercy for those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

"The Vice-Chairperson of Outjo Crime Prevention Forum, Mr Johnny Horaseb, and other police officers and reservists are praised for their active operation," said Deputy Commissioner Khairabeb.

"I am very satisfied. We have to do more such operations," he said, adding that police sniffer dogs were used during the operation.