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Curepipe Electrician Caught with Rs 600,000 Cannabis in Port Louis
A 25-year-old electrician from Curepipe was arrested in Plaine-Lauzun after police seized 424g of cannabis and over Rs 106,000 in suspected drug money.
By MauritiusNews Editorialabout 2 hours agoπ 0 views
Mauritius's anti-drug unit has made another significant bust in Port Louis, arresting a young electrician found carrying hundreds of thousands of rupees' worth of cannabis and cash.
**The arrest**
On the evening of 5 October, officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) β Mauritius's specialised police drug squad β moved in on a 25-year-old electrician at Plaine-Lauzun, an industrial and residential district in the capital, Port Louis.
The suspect, a resident of Curepipe, a town in the central plateau of Mauritius, had reportedly been under surveillance for several weeks before police decided to act.
When officers searched him, they found 424 grams of cannabis, with an estimated street value of more than Rs 600,000, along with Rs 106,400 in cash, which investigators believe represents proceeds from drug sales.
Faced with the evidence, the suspect said nothing.
**What happens next**
The electrician is due to appear in court this Tuesday on a provisional charge of cannabis trafficking. Police have indicated they will oppose bail, meaning the suspect is likely to remain in custody while the case proceeds.
In Mauritius, drug trafficking charges carry serious penalties under the Dangerous Drugs Act. Provisional charges are standard at the initial court appearance, with a formal charge sheet filed as the investigation continues.
**ADSU and the wider drug picture**
The ADSU operates under the Mauritius Police Force and is responsible for tackling drug importation, distribution, and street-level trafficking across the island. Cannabis remains one of the most commonly seized substances in Mauritius, though authorities have in recent years also focused on synthetic drugs and heroin.
This latest arrest follows a pattern of ADSU operations targeting individuals who travel between towns β in this case, between Curepipe and the capital β as part of distribution networks.
The fact that the suspect had been under surveillance for weeks before his arrest suggests this was a targeted, intelligence-led operation rather than a routine stop-and-search.
**What this means**
For residents and visitors, this case is a reminder that Mauritius enforces its drug laws strictly, and that even individuals not typically associated with organised crime can face serious trafficking charges. A Rs 600,000 seizure at street value is considered a substantial haul for a single individual, and the presence of large amounts of cash alongside the drugs will likely strengthen the prosecution's case.
Source: ION News
The ADSU (Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit) is a specialised division of the Mauritius Police Force dedicated to investigating and combating drug trafficking and smuggling across the island. It conducts surveillance operations, raids, and arrests related to both local distribution and international drug importation.
What are the penalties for cannabis trafficking in Mauritius?β
Under Mauritius's Dangerous Drugs Act, cannabis trafficking can result in lengthy prison sentences depending on the quantity involved. Possession for personal use and trafficking are treated very differently, and quantities like the 424 grams seized in this case would typically attract a trafficking charge rather than a simple possession charge.
Where is Plaine-Lauzun in Mauritius?β
Plaine-Lauzun is a mixed industrial and residential area located in Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius. It sits in the northern part of the city and is home to warehouses, workshops, and residential housing.
