Second NCG Police Officer Arrested in Mahébourg Cannabis Seizure

A second officer from the National Coast Guard (NCG) has been arrested in connection with a cannabis seizure in Mahébourg, a coastal town in the south-east of Mauritius, according to a report by Le Défi Media.

The arrest follows that of a first NCG officer already taken into custody in the same case, suggesting that investigators believe more than one member of the maritime security unit may have been involved in the affair.

The National Coast Guard is a branch of the Mauritius Police Force responsible for maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, and the protection of Mauritian waters, including its exclusive economic zone. The NCG works closely with agencies such as the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) to intercept drug shipments arriving by sea.

Mahébourg, situated on the south-eastern coast near the Mahébourg Waterfront and close to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, is a key entry and transit point, making it a location of particular interest for drug enforcement operations.

Details about the quantity of cannabis seized, the circumstances of the discovery, and the precise roles alleged against the two officers have not yet been made fully public. Investigations are ongoing.

The case adds to a series of drug-related arrests involving law enforcement personnel in Mauritius in recent months. Earlier, a police officer was caught selling cannabis to undercover agents from the ADSU, the specialised anti-drug unit of the Mauritius Police Force. Separately, authorities have been pursuing a large-scale cannabis trafficking investigation linked to a yacht called the Dreamer and an alleged network connecting Thailand and Mauritius, in which 14 individuals were arrested.

What this means: When members of a security force entrusted with intercepting drug smuggling are themselves implicated in drug offences, it raises serious questions about oversight, vetting and internal accountability within the Mauritius Police Force. The public prosecutor and the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), the civilian body that oversees complaints against police in Mauritius, are likely to be monitoring developments closely. Residents and observers will be watching to see whether the investigation extends further within the NCG or other units.

Source: Le Défi Media