Police Sergeant Arrested in Rs 83 Million Money Laundering Probe

A serving police officer has been arrested on suspicion of laundering more than Rs 83 million in public funds, marking the latest development in a widening corruption investigation targeting senior officers under the previous government.

Sergeant Yusuf Ali Hamud Hossen, attached to Metro North, was detained by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) on Thursday (8th August) and later appeared before the Port-Louis South District Court on two provisional charges of money laundering.

The Charges

The first charge, under the Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering Act (FIAMLA), alleges Hossen illegally obtained Rs 65.89 million between August 2022 and February 2024.

The second, under the Financial Crimes Commission Act, accuses him of receiving Rs 17.3 million in his personal bank account between April and September 2024.

Investigators believe the funds were siphoned from budgets allocated to the now-disbanded Special Striking Team (SST), with approval from former Police Commissioner Anil Kumar Dip.

Hossen, previously assigned to the SST, remains in custody until 15th August, according to his lawyer, Maître Roshan Santokee.

Wider Corruption Probe

This arrest is part of the Reward Money investigation, an ongoing probe into alleged high-level police corruption under the last administration. The FCC is now tracing the movement of funds meant for SST operations, which appear to have been diverted for unknown purposes.

Several senior officers have already been implicated:

• ACP Dunraz Gangadin remains detained over suspicious transactions worth Rs 160.4 million, allegedly processed through the Police Commissioner’s account.
• Sergeant Yeshdeo Seeboruth, released on bail 6th August, is suspected of receiving Rs 76.8 million over 20 months.
• ASP Faraaz Mooniaruth was granted bail the same day.
• ACP Lilram Deal faces charges for allegedly misusing Rs 4.5 million, including purchasing a vehicle.

“Opaque Reward System”

Authorities suspect a structured network exploited lax oversight, funnelling money through an unofficial rewards scheme. Detectives are now working to identify the final recipients of these funds and determine whether they were linked to genuine operations.

With the investigation ongoing, further arrests are expected. The case has raised serious questions about financial controls within the police force, prompting calls for stricter accountability measures.

Source: l’Express