News
British National Arrested at Plaisance Airport with 20 Kilos of Cannabis
A British national, James Symon Skelly, has been arrested at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (SSRIA) in Plaisance after authorities discovered 20.4 kilograms of cannabis in his luggage. The 55-year-old traveler, who also holds Cambodian citizenship, was taken into custody by the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) upon arriving from a flight that originated in Cambodia and made a stopover in Thailand.
Skelly arrived on flight UU108, which touched down in Plaisance on Sunday afternoon. As he collected his luggage, ADSU officers, who had been monitoring him closely due to previous suspicions of drug involvement, approached him for questioning.
Assistant Superintendent of Police Goinden was leading the operation, and they acted on their suspicions that Skelly may have been engaged in drug trafficking previously.
Upon searching Skelly’s bags, the officers unearthed 34 packages of cannabis, which weighed a total of 20.4 kilograms.
The street value of the seized drugs is estimated at approximately Rs 12.2 million.
In light of this substantial amount, Skelly was promptly arrested, and the cannabis was confiscated.
During the interrogation, Skelly denied any involvement in international drug trafficking, asserting, “It is medical marijuana, and it’s for my own consumption.”
Despite his claims, authorities have charged him with “Drug Dealing With Aggravating Circumstances: Importation Of Cannabis With An Averment Of Trafficking” before the Mahébourg Court.
The cannabis has been sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory for analysis, while the ADSU continued its investigation to trace Skelly’s local contacts in Mauritius.
He remained in police custody as the inquiry unfolds.
Source: Defi Media