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2.61 kg of Cannabis Seized at SSR Airport in Sting Operation
A controlled delivery operation at Mauritius's main airport led to one arrest, while a second suspect fled and remains at large.
By MauritiusNews Editorialabout 1 hour ago👁 0 views
Authorities at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport in Plaine-Magnien have intercepted over 2.61 kilograms of cannabis hidden inside a cardboard box, in a joint operation that led to one arrest and left a second suspect on the run.
**How the drugs were found**
On Wednesday, 7 October, officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) — Mauritius's specialist anti-narcotics police unit — along with customs officials were conducting checks at the PATS depot, a freight and logistics facility located within the SSR Airport complex. There, they found a suspicious cardboard box containing approximately 2.61 kg of cannabis, divided into three vacuum-sealed black plastic bags.
Rather than seizing the parcel immediately, investigators chose a more strategic approach: a controlled delivery operation. This technique, commonly used in drug trafficking investigations, allows law enforcement to let the suspect package continue toward its intended recipients in order to catch the network in the act.
**The trap is sprung**
The following day, Thursday 8 October, the operation culminated at a warehouse in Mère Rouge, a district in Port-Louis, Mauritius's capital city. Police moved in and arrested a 22-year-old driver's assistant from Résidence La Cure. His mobile phone was also confiscated at the scene as evidence.
However, not everyone was caught. A car linked to the drug trafficking operation sped away from the logistics complex at high speed, ignoring police orders to stop. A second suspect, believed to be a Port-Louis resident, is now the subject of an island-wide wanted notice.
**What this means**
This case highlights how Mauritius's main international airport remains a key entry point targeted by drug trafficking networks. The use of a controlled delivery — rather than a straightforward seizure — suggests investigators believe there may be a broader supply chain involved, and that catching the recipients was prioritised over simply confiscating the drugs at the border.
The ADSU, operating under the Mauritius Police Force, routinely collaborates with Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) customs officers at ports of entry to intercept narcotics. Cannabis remains a Class B controlled drug under Mauritian law, carrying significant criminal penalties.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are actively pursuing the second suspect.
Source: ION News
Where is the PATS depot at SSR Airport in Mauritius?−
The PATS (Passenger and Terminal Services) depot is a freight and cargo handling facility located within Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaine-Magnien, in the south-east of Mauritius. It is routinely monitored by ADSU officers and MRA customs officials for suspicious shipments.
What is the ADSU in Mauritius?−
The ADSU (Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit) is a specialised division of the Mauritius Police Force responsible for investigating drug trafficking and smuggling offences. It frequently operates at ports of entry, including SSR International Airport, in coordination with customs authorities.
What are the penalties for cannabis trafficking in Mauritius?−
Under the Dangerous Drugs Act of Mauritius, cannabis is a Class B controlled drug. Trafficking offences can carry heavy prison sentences depending on the quantity involved, with large-scale trafficking potentially resulting in sentences of up to 60 years under Mauritian law.
