Walvis Bay — The Namibian Police in the Erongo Region have vowed to fight drug smuggling following numerous drug arrests at the coastal towns of Swakopmund and Walvis Bay over the festive season.

In the same vein, Namibian Police Regional Commander in the Erongo Region, Commissioner Samuel //Hoebeb denied allegations going around that some members of the drug squad are on the payroll of drug lords.

It is alleged some rogue police officers allegedly leak information about planned drug busts to drug dealers that give them ample time to hide or dispose of their drugs. //Hoebeb during an interview last Thursday told New Era that the allegations are devoid of truth.

"I am not aware that any of my officers are on the payroll of drug dealers. As a matter of fact, the whole drug unit was recently reshuffled and at least 70 percent of them are new members - they are also new in town, including the unit commander," he stressed.

Without revealing the numerical strength of the drug squad, //Hoebeb said the unit is stronger and wiser and will definitely deliver despite any shortcomings and problems that are there.

//Hoebeb further explained that drugs are a hidden type of crime. "It is something that you don't see, but it requires intensive operations and surveillance, and only then would one be able to make more on-target arrests rather than arresting petty dealers," he said.

He singled out Swakopmund and the Narraville suburb of Walvis Bay as the main problem areas for Nampol in terms of drug smuggling.

"Although drugs such as crack cocaine, marijuana amongst others are being detected in the whole of the Erongo Region, the fight against drugs will mainly focus on Swakopmund and Narraville since more drugs are being detected and confiscated in these two areas.

"However, this does not mean that we will neglect all the other towns and suburbs such as Henties Bay and Kuisebmond or Walvis Bay itself," he said, adding that in order to reduce drug smuggling in the region, residents and crime fighting organisations must also be on board and willing to report any suspicious looking activities to Nampol.

"A drug and crime free community is what we are all striving for and I'm positive that my team will deliver. We will make a notable change in drug operations in the Erongo Region and this should also serve as a warning to drug dealers. We cannot successfully battle this evil in our society without the assistance and co-operation of law-abiding citizens and crime-fighting organizations. Therefore, we urge each and every member of the community in the Erongo Region to work closely with Nampol to ensure a drug-free community for our children," //Hoebeb said.