Rose-Hill Carpenter Arrested After ADSU Finds 18g of Cannabis

Anti-drug officers in Mauritius arrested a 38-year-old carpenter on Sunday 8 November 2026 after finding 18 grams of cannabis at his home in Plaisance, a residential area in the town of Rose-Hill in the west of the island.

Officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit, known as the ADSU, carried out a search of the property at around 9:20 in the morning. During the search, investigators found and seized two glass jars containing the substance.

The first jar, fitted with a red lid, held a transparent plastic bag tied at one end. The second jar, with a grey lid, also contained a quantity of cannabis. Together, the contents of both jars totalled 18 grams.

Following the seizure, the man was taken in for questioning. After his interrogation, he was released on bail while the investigation continues.

The ADSU is a specialist unit within the Mauritius Police Force dedicated to investigating drug trafficking and smuggling offences. It regularly conducts home searches across the island based on intelligence or tip-offs, and arrests of this kind involving small quantities of cannabis are reported with some regularity in towns such as Rose-Hill, Beau-Bassin and Curepipe.

Under Mauritian law, possession of cannabis is a criminal offence regardless of the quantity involved. Individuals found in possession of small amounts can face prosecution under the Dangerous Drugs Act, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment depending on the circumstances and whether the court determines the substance was for personal use or intended for supply.

Being released on bail, as happened in this case, does not mean charges have been dropped. It means the suspect is free to move about while police complete their enquiries and before any decision is made by prosecutors on whether to bring a case to court.

The investigation remains open.

Source: ION News