Terre-Rouge Man Arrested with Cannabis Near Notre-Dame Roundabout

Anti-drug officers arrested a 25-year-old man near the Notre-Dame roundabout in Mauritius late on Sunday, 4 October, in a roadside stop that led to the seizure of cannabis and a subsequent home search. The arrest was carried out by officers from the ADSU (Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit), the specialised branch of the Mauritius Police Force responsible for tackling drug trafficking and possession across the island. The operation took place at around 10:30 p.m. along the Verdun road, close to the Notre-Dame roundabout — an area in the north of Mauritius near Terre-Rouge, not far from Port Louis. **What was found** Officers stopped the suspect, a driver's assistant and resident of Terre-Rouge, and found two items on him: a plastic sachet containing cannabis with a total weight of 25.66 grams, and a second reusable bag holding 159 cannabis seeds. Both quantities are significant under Mauritian law — possession of cannabis in any amount is a criminal offence, and the presence of seeds can indicate cultivation intent, which carries heavier penalties. **Home search yields nothing further** Following the roadside arrest, ADSU officers conducted a search of the suspect's home in Terre-Rouge. No additional incriminating material was discovered during the search. The man was kept in police custody pending further proceedings. **What this means** Under the Mauritius Dangerous Drugs Act, possession of cannabis — even in small quantities — can result in a fine and imprisonment. Larger quantities or evidence of supply and distribution attract more serious charges. The presence of 159 seeds alongside a quantity of the drug may prompt prosecutors to consider whether the suspect was involved in cultivation, though no formal charges had been announced at the time of reporting. The ADSU routinely conducts roadside interceptions, particularly during evening and night hours, as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug circulation across the island. Source: ION News