Second Coast Guard Member Arrested in Mahébourg Drug Probe
Two National Coast Guard officers are now in police custody after cannabis and cash were found in a car searched by anti-drug unit ADSU in Mahébourg.
A drug investigation in the southern coastal town of Mahébourg has taken a significant turn, with a second member of the National Coast Guard (NCG) arrested on Thursday 29 October by the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU).
The arrest came just one day after a first NCG member, aged 21, was detained following a routine vehicle search. Both individuals are now being held in police custody as the investigation continues.
The case began on Wednesday 28 October when ADSU officers from the Mahébourg unit stopped and searched a sedan car in the town. Inside the vehicle, investigators found 2.10 grams of cannabis along with Rs 3,800 in cash. The 21-year-old coast guard officer who was in the car at the time was arrested on the spot.
The discovery of a second NCG member's involvement the following day signals that investigators believe the case may extend beyond a single individual.
The National Coast Guard is a branch of the Mauritius Police Force responsible for maritime security, search and rescue operations, and monitoring Mauritius's vast exclusive economic zone. The NCG also plays a role in intercepting drug trafficking at sea, making the arrests particularly sensitive from an institutional standpoint.
The ADSU, the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit, is the specialised division of the Mauritius Police Force tasked with investigating narcotics offences and related smuggling activity. It operates across the island and has been involved in several high-profile drug cases in recent months.
What this means: The involvement of uniformed coast guard personnel in a drugs case raises questions about security vetting and internal oversight within the NCG. While the amount of cannabis found was small, the fact that two officers from the same institution have been arrested in connection with the same incident is likely to prompt scrutiny of procedures within the force. Both suspects remain in police custody and no charges have been formally announced at this stage. The investigation is ongoing.
Source: ION News
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ADSU in Mauritius?−
The Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) is a specialised branch of the Mauritius Police Force dedicated to investigating drug trafficking and smuggling offences. It has regional units across the island, including in Mahébourg in the south-east.
What is the National Coast Guard in Mauritius?−
The National Coast Guard (NCG) is a branch of the Mauritius Police Force responsible for maritime security, protecting the country's exclusive economic zone, conducting search and rescue operations at sea, and helping to intercept drug shipments arriving by boat.
How serious is a cannabis possession charge in Mauritius?−
Under Mauritian law, possession of cannabis can carry significant penalties depending on the quantity involved. Even small amounts can lead to criminal charges. For law enforcement personnel, such an arrest also carries the risk of disciplinary proceedings within their institution.
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