Petite-Rivière Mason Arrested With 99 Cannabis Seeds and 7 Plants

A 34-year-old mason was arrested on Sunday 1 June after anti-drug officers discovered cannabis seeds and live plants at his home in Petite-Rivière, a village on the western coast of Mauritius.

Officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit, known as the ADSU, carried out a search of the property and found a transparent plastic bag containing 99 cannabis seeds. They also seized seven cannabis plants ranging in height from 20 to 40 centimetres, suggesting they had been cultivated on site for some time.

The man was arrested and placed in police custody following the raid. Investigators have not yet disclosed whether the cannabis was intended for personal use or distribution. The inquiry is ongoing.

The ADSU is a specialist unit within the Mauritius Police Force dedicated to tackling drug trafficking and smuggling across the island. It regularly conducts targeted residential searches based on intelligence gathered in local communities.

Cannabis remains a controlled substance in Mauritius under the Dangerous Drugs Act. Possession, cultivation and trafficking of the drug carry significant penalties, including heavy fines and imprisonment. Cultivating cannabis plants, even in small quantities at a private residence, is treated seriously by Mauritian authorities and typically results in charges distinct from simple possession.

Petite-Rivière falls under the Black River district and is a largely residential area. Drug-related arrests in villages along the western coast have become a recurring feature of ADSU operations in recent months.

What this means: Anyone found growing cannabis plants in Mauritius, regardless of the quantity, faces potential prosecution for cultivation under the Dangerous Drugs Act, which carries heavier penalties than possession alone. This case is a reminder that ADSU operations extend beyond urban centres and into smaller communities across the island.

Source: ION News