A secret dagga farm and factory have been discovered by the Namibian Police on a private farm situated between Osire Refugee Settlement and Hochfeld in the Otjozondjupa Region.
The operation began early this morning around 01:00 when police officers from Okahandja stopped a vehicle on the Hochfeld-Okahandja road. Inside, they found about 52 bags filled with dagga. Following the arrest and questioning of the driver, police were led to the nearby farm where the drugs were being grown and processed.
Commissioner Philip Hidengwa, who spoke from the scene now secured by the Police Drug Unit, said the discovery was made around 04:00. He explained that the suspects were using the farm not only to grow dagga but also to dry, package, and store it for transport to unknown destinations.
The illegal plantation covers 1.55 hectares and is cleverly hidden among other crops. The drying process was taking place in a five-room corrugated building, and the final product was being weighed and packaged in the farm’s storeroom.
Although the exact number of people involved is still unclear, Commissioner Hidengwa confirmed that the farm manager and the vehicle driver have both been arrested. The total value of the dagga and the operation has yet to be calculated.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court this Friday.
