South African woman held by Somalia pirates arrested on drug charge

Published November 20, 2014

A South African woman once held for 20 months by Somali pirates has been arrested by police on suspicion of drug possession.

The South African Press Association reported Monday that Debbie Calitz appeared briefly before a judge in the city of Pretoria, and was released on a 1,000 rand ($115) bond. Police said Calitz and eight others had been arrested at a house in Pretoria on Friday where officers found marijuana and mushrooms.

It was not clear if Calitz had a defense lawyer. The Associated Press could not immediately reach her for comment Monday.

Somali pirates captured Calitz and her Italian partner in late 2010 from a yacht off the coast of Tanzania. It was unclear whether a ransom was paid for their release. Calitz later wrote a book about the kidnapping.

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