Bus driver arrested at Katutura for dealing in cocaine

The police have confirmed the investigation and arrest of an Intercape bus driver, Nathaniel Tobias, in connection with dealing in cocaine.

Tobias was arrested at Maroela, Katutura, on 24 April while driving an Intercape bus from Cape Town to Windhoek.

Acting police inspector general Anne-Marie Nainda last week said the arrest followed an investigation into the alleged dealing of the suspected illicit drug.

She confirmed that Tobias is an Intercape employee and that he was identified as the driver of the bus.

“The police are aware of an incident in which a driver employed by Intercape was arrested at Maroela, Katutura, for allegedly dealing in suspected cocaine powder.

“At the time of his arrest, the driver was travelling from Cape Town to Windhoek. The matter is currently before the court,” she said.

Nainda said the incident is being treated as an isolated case.

“The suspect was subsequently charged under the relevant provisions of the law. There is currently no indication that it forms part of an organised syndicate involving the use of long distance buses for the transportation of illicit drugs,” she said.

‘CHECK YOUR LUGGAGE’

Nainda said the police are encouraging members of the public and public transport operators to report such cases to them.

She said members of the public and public transport operators are advised to exercise caution when accepting parcels for transportation on behalf of people whose identities are unknown or cannot be verified.

“Before accepting any parcel or luggage, transport operators are advised, where practicable, to verify the identity of the sender and intended recipient and to establish the nature and contents of the parcel.

“Transport operators should exercise due diligence and avoid accepting or transporting parcels or luggage on behalf of people whose identity or ownership cannot reasonably be verified.

“Failure to exercise reasonable care and due diligence may expose a transporter to legal consequences should prohibited or illicit substances or other unlawful items be found in their possession, custody, or control,” she said.

Intercape’s management told The Namibian on Tuesday they would comment once the company’s internal investigation has been completed.

PAST CASE

In a similar matter in June 2019, South Africa’s Northern Cape Hawks spokesperson, Nomthandazo Mnisi, told OFM News the state was opposing bail for Sabelo Mthethwa, Joseph Phello and David Phahlamolaka, who were arrested in South Africa on 24 June after the directorate’s investigative unit stopped and raided the Intercape bus they were travelling on.

Drugs worth R3.4 million were found.

Mnisi at the time said the Hawks pulled the passenger bus over outside Upington after receiving information it was being used to transport drugs.

Intercape at the time confirmed it had alerted the authorities after receiving an anonymous tip regarding drugs on one of its coaches.

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