Goodlands Suspect Flees After ADSU Finds 12.94g of Synthetic Drug
A 20-year-old man dropped a plastic container holding 87 foil wraps of synthetic cannabinoids and ran from officers patrolling Cité Sainte-Claire.
Police in northern Mauritius are searching for a 20-year-old man who fled after anti-drug officers discovered nearly 13 grams of synthetic cannabinoids in his possession on Monday, 2 June.
Officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU), a specialised branch of the Mauritius Police Force responsible for narcotics enforcement, were on patrol in the Cité Sainte-Claire residential area of Goodlands when they approached the suspect. The young man, who is unemployed and lives in Goodlands, spotted the officers and immediately threw a plastic container to the ground before running away.
Inside the container, police found 87 individually wrapped aluminium foil packets containing synthetic cannabinoids, with a total weight of 12.94 grams. Synthetic cannabinoids, sometimes called synthetic cannabis or spice, are human-made chemicals designed to mimic the effects of cannabis. They are typically sprayed onto plant material or paper and are significantly more potent and unpredictable than natural cannabis, posing serious health risks.
The suspect has not yet been apprehended. An investigation is currently under way and police are actively looking for him.
Goodlands is a town in the northeast of Mauritius, in the Riviere du Rempart district. The area, like several other urban centres on the island, has seen increased police activity linked to synthetic drug distribution in recent years.
Synthetic cannabinoids are classified as dangerous drugs under Mauritian law. Possession can carry heavy penalties, and the packaging of the substance into 87 separate foil wraps may suggest the quantity was intended for distribution rather than personal use, though that determination will be for investigators and prosecutors to establish.
What this means: The ADSU regularly conducts foot patrols in residential neighbourhoods as part of Mauritius's broader counter-narcotics strategy. When suspects discard drugs and flee, officers can still pursue charges based on the recovered evidence, meaning an escape does not guarantee immunity from prosecution. Anyone with information about the suspect's whereabouts can contact the nearest police station or the ADSU directly.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ADSU in Mauritius?−
The ADSU, or 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 operations including street patrols, raids and undercover investigations.
Are synthetic cannabinoids illegal in Mauritius?−
Yes. Synthetic cannabinoids are classified as dangerous drugs under Mauritian law. Possession, trafficking or distribution can result in significant criminal penalties including imprisonment.
Can someone still be charged if they flee and drop drugs during a police stop in Mauritius?−
Yes. Under Mauritian law, if drugs are recovered at the scene and there is sufficient evidence linking them to the suspect, charges can still be filed even if the person is not immediately arrested. Police will pursue the suspect and the case remains under active investigation.
From Our Network
Find Property in Mauritius
Search Listings →
📧 Breaking alerts straight to your inbox