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Quatre Bornes Man Arrested With 73g of Synthetic Cannabinoids
An unemployed 46-year-old was caught with pre-packaged doses, a digital scale, and Rs 5,000 in suspected drug proceeds during an early-morning ADSU raid.
By MauritiusNews Editorialabout 1 hour agoπ 0 views
An early-morning drug raid in Quatre Bornes β a busy commercial town in the west of Mauritius β has led to the arrest of a 46-year-old unemployed man after police seized over 73 grams of synthetic cannabinoids along with packaging equipment and cash.
The operation was carried out by the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU), Mauritius's specialist narcotics enforcement branch, at around 5:30 a.m. on Friday, 18 September 2026.
**What was found**
Officers searching the man's home uncovered two separate quantities of synthetic cannabinoids β a class of powerful lab-made drugs often far stronger than natural cannabis. The first was a knotted plastic bag containing 255 pre-wrapped aluminium foil packets, totalling 20.10 grams, clearly prepared for street-level distribution. The second bag held a larger loose quantity of the same substance, weighing 53 grams.
In total, 73.10 grams of synthetic cannabinoids were seized.
Also confiscated during the search were:
- 46 pre-cut pieces of aluminium foil
- An electronic weighing scale
- A pair of scissors used for preparing individual doses
- Rs 5,000 in cash, suspected to be proceeds from drug sales
The quantity of ready-to-sell packets and the presence of weighing and cutting equipment strongly suggest the property was being used as a drug preparation and distribution point rather than for personal use.
**What are synthetic cannabinoids?**
Synthetic cannabinoids β sometimes known on the street by names such as "Spice" or "K2" β are chemically engineered substances designed to mimic the effects of THC, the active compound in cannabis. However, they are often significantly more potent and unpredictable, and have been linked to severe health episodes including seizures, psychosis, and cardiac events. In Mauritius, they are classified as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Act.
**What happens next**
The suspect has been placed in police custody and the investigation is ongoing. Under Mauritian law, possession of synthetic cannabinoids with intent to supply carries serious criminal penalties, including lengthy custodial sentences.
Synthetic drugs have become a growing concern for Mauritian authorities in recent years, with the ADSU intensifying operations across residential areas island-wide.
Source: ION News
What are synthetic cannabinoids and why are they dangerous in Mauritius?β
Synthetic cannabinoids are lab-made chemicals designed to replicate the effects of natural cannabis but are often many times more potent. In Mauritius, they are illegal under the Dangerous Drugs Act and have been linked to serious health emergencies. The ADSU (Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit) regularly targets their distribution across the island.
What is the ADSU in Mauritius?β
The ADSU, or Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit, is a specialist division of the Mauritius Police Force responsible for investigating and combating drug trafficking and smuggling across the island. It operates independently from regular police divisions and conducts targeted raids based on intelligence.
What are the penalties for drug trafficking in Mauritius?β
Under the Dangerous Drugs Act of Mauritius, possession of illegal substances with intent to supply carries severe penalties, including potential imprisonment of up to 60 years depending on the quantity and classification of the drug involved. Synthetic cannabinoids are treated as dangerous drugs under this legislation.
