It’s the talk of the town: The Special Striking Team (SST) of the Police Headquarters (PHQ) has once again targeted lawyer Akil Bissessur and his partner, Doomila Moheeputh, following their previous arrest last year.
After all charges were dropped earlier this year over another drug-related case, the couple is suspected, this time, of being involved in the importation of 1,022 ecstasy tablets valued at Rs 1.5 million.
Avinash Bissessur, Akil’s brother, has also been arrested in connection with the case. All three individuals have reportedly denied the charges against them.
According to reports, the investigation began when a package from Germany, addressed to Avinash but delivered to Akil’s residence, was intercepted by the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS) of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA).
Inside the package, officers are said to have discovered pink and brown pills believed to be Ecstasy. The MRA reportedly informed the police, leading to the involvement of the PHQ SST.
In an attempt to gather evidence, a Controlled Delivery operation was initiated.
When a police officer, disguised as a postal worker arrived with the package, Akil Bissessur, claimed that he had not ordered anything from Germany, and recorded a video, which was broadcast live on his Facebook page, while refusing to accept the package.
He expressed his confusion and questioned the presence of CID officers in his courtyard.
The police subsequently conducted a search of Akil Bissessur’s apartment but found nothing incriminating.
However, during a search at Avinash Bissessur’s house, police allegedly discovered 25 tablets suspected to be psychotropic substances.
The trio was eventually taken to the Police Headquarters in Port Louis.
Their lawyers claimed they were only able to meet with them four hours later, denouncing that “before we planting, now we have posting.”
Akil Bissessur is known to be a staunch critic of the ruling MSM party.
According to l’Express, the arrests came at the same time as the Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth stated in Parliament that there was no climate of fear due to the actions of the SST.
After appearing before Mahebourg Court on Wednesday June 21, the Bissessur brothers and Doomila Moheeputh were remanded in police custody until June 27.
A provisional charge of “Conspiracy to import Dangerous Drug” has been brought against them. The police have objected to their release on bail.
In a statement to the press, Akil Bissessur’s lawyer, Rama Valayden, stated that his clients had been framed and several requests have been made to the Court, including conducting the investigation by a unit other than the Special Striking Team.
Sources: Defi Media, Le Mauricien, l’Express
