Windhoek — A man arrested with a record marijuana (dagga) haul weighing 407kg, with an estimated street value of N$1.22 million in August 2011, was denied bail in the regional court on Friday.

In August 2011, the police confiscated 16 bags containing 406 83kg of dagga from Simon Nangaku's house in Hakahana. The police raided the house after a tip-off from members of the public. At the time of the arrest, the bust was described as the largest in independent Namibia. The suspect Nangaku was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on March 01. The suspect has been denied bail before and continues to languish in custody.

The State at the time said they did not believe that the suspect was working alone as more arrests were expected and further indicated the amount of marijuana involved is too much to grant him bail. Nangaku then filed for a new bail application, which was again unsuccessful last Friday.

Apart from being denied bail, his defence lawyer Sisa Namandje also withdrew as his lawyer.

Nangaku faces a charge of dealing in dependence producing substances. He also faces an alternative charge of possession of marijuana.

Magistrate Claudia Claasen presided, while the prosecutor was Phineas Nsundano.