La Gaulette Officer Arrested With 1kg of Cannabis and Rs 461,400
A 26-year-old operation officer was arrested at his La Gaulette home after anti-drug police found over a kilogram of cannabis and nearly Rs 500,000 in cash.
Anti-drug officers in Mauritius arrested a 26-year-old operation officer on Tuesday 3 June after a search of his home in La Gaulette, a coastal village on the south-west coast of the island, uncovered more than a kilogram of cannabis and a large sum of cash suspected to be drug money.
Officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU), the specialised police division responsible for narcotics investigations in Mauritius, carried out the raid on the suspect's residence. During the search, they found two plastic bags containing cannabis, one holding processed cannabis and the other containing cannabis leaves. The combined weight of the seized drugs came to 1,048 grams.
In addition to the drugs, police discovered Rs 461,400 in cash, which investigators believe to be proceeds from drug trafficking. A digital weighing scale bearing traces of cannabis was also found at the property, suggesting the drugs may have been prepared for distribution.
The suspect, whose job title of operation officer suggests a role in a service or logistics-related field, was placed in police custody following the arrest. Investigations are ongoing, and no charges have been formally confirmed as of the time of reporting.
La Gaulette sits near Le Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the south-western tip of Mauritius. While the area is better known for tourism and water sports, drug-related arrests in coastal and rural communities have become an increasing concern for Mauritian authorities in recent years.
The ADSU regularly conducts operations across the island targeting both small-scale dealers and larger trafficking networks. Seizures like this one, involving significant quantities of cannabis alongside large amounts of unexplained cash and drug paraphernalia, are typically treated as evidence of organised distribution rather than personal use under Mauritian law.
What this means: Under the Dangerous Drugs Act of Mauritius, possession of cannabis with intent to supply carries severe penalties, including lengthy prison terms. The presence of a weighing scale and a substantial cash sum alongside the drugs will likely be used by prosecutors to argue the suspect was involved in dealing rather than simple possession. The case will proceed through the Mauritian court system, beginning with a formal charging before a district magistrate.
Source: ION News
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ADSU in Mauritius?β
The Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) is a specialised division of the Mauritius Police Force dedicated to investigating drug trafficking, smuggling and related offences. It operates island-wide and conducts raids, surveillance and undercover operations targeting narcotics networks.
What are the penalties for cannabis trafficking in Mauritius?β
Under the Dangerous Drugs Act of Mauritius, trafficking in cannabis can result in imprisonment of up to 60 years depending on the quantity involved. Possession of over 500 grams is typically treated as trafficking rather than personal use, making the 1,048 grams found in this case subject to the most serious sentencing provisions.
Where is La Gaulette in Mauritius?β
La Gaulette is a small coastal village located on the south-west coast of Mauritius, near the Le Morne peninsula, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The area is popular with tourists and kite surfers but falls under the jurisdiction of the Black River district police.
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