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48-Yr-Old Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 24 Years

In a significant drug trafficking case, Rishiraj Boojhawon, a maintenance worker from Fond-du-Sac, has been sentenced to 24 years in prison and fined Rs 800,000 after being found guilty of possessing a substantial amount of heroin, valued at approximately Rs 100 million. The conviction was followed an operation by the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU), which uncovered 6720.9 grams of heroin buried in Boojhawon’s garden on March 19, 2021.
The case unfolded nearly four years later, with Boojhawon being apprehended and charged with possession and trafficking.
Upon discovery of the drugs, he confessed to the authorities, stating, “Misie, monn anter ladrog isi. Mo pou koopere,” : “Sir, I buried the drugs here. I will cooperate.”
He claimed that the heroin had been given to him by a friend, identified as Rajiv Birion.
Chemical analyses of the seized heroin revealed a purity range of 6% to 78%.
During the investigation, Boojhawon admitted to acting under the influence of Birion, asserting that he had done so out of friendship and expressed remorse for his involvement in the drug trade.
In delivering the verdict on January 16, 2025, Judge Luchmyparsad Aujayeb emphasized the devastating impact of hard drug trafficking, particularly heroin, and underscored the need for strict penalties as a deterrent.
While Boojhawon’s late guilty plea led to a one-third reduction in his sentence, the judge noted the severity of the offenses, including the quantity and market value of the heroin, as aggravating factors.
The court also considered mitigating circumstances, such as Boojhawon’s unblemished criminal record and his cooperation with law enforcement, which aided in dismantling a trafficking network.
Nevertheless, the sentence highlights the serious consequences of drug trafficking in Mauritius and serves as a warning against involvement in illicit drug activities.
Source: Defi Media