Sainte-Croix Welder Caught With Synthetic Drug Papers and Rs 40,575

A 40-year-old welder from Sainte-Croix, a coastal locality north of Port Louis, was arrested on Sunday 1 November after anti-drug officers found synthetic drugs and a significant sum of cash in his possession.

Officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU), the specialist branch of the Mauritius Police Force responsible for narcotics investigations, carried out the operation in Sainte-Croix. During a body search, they discovered ten strips of paper and three cut pieces of paper, all soaked in synthetic cannabinoids, a category of designer drugs that mimic the effects of cannabis but are often far more potent and unpredictable.

Along with the drug-laced papers, police seized Rs 40,575 in cash. The sum is suspected to be the proceeds of drug trafficking.

A search was then carried out at the man's home, but officers found no additional incriminating items or illegal substances on the premises. The suspect was placed in police custody and an investigation is ongoing.

Synthetic cannabinoids, sometimes known locally as "legal highs" or referred to under brand names that circulate on the street, have become a growing concern for Mauritian authorities. Unlike plant-based cannabis, these substances are typically applied to paper or plant material, making them easier to conceal and harder to detect without chemical testing. Possession and trafficking of synthetic cannabinoids are treated as serious offences under Mauritian law, carrying heavy penalties.

The ADSU has intensified operations across the island in recent months, targeting both street-level dealers and larger supply networks. The relatively large cash amount found on the suspect, compared to the small physical quantity of drugs, suggests authorities believe he may have been actively selling rather than simply using the substance.

No charges had been formally announced at the time of reporting, and the investigation remains open.

Source: ION News