Pharmacy Worker Fined Over 7-Year Psychotropic Money Laundering Scheme

A pharmacy employee has been ordered to pay fines totalling MUR 159,300 following a long-running money laundering operation linked to the illegal sale of psychotropic drugs.

Preeti Aubeeluck, who was employed at a pharmacy in Rose-Belle at the time of the offences, was sentenced by the Financial Crimes Division of the Intermediate Court.

In addition to the global fine, she was ordered to pay MUR 500 in court costs.

Guilty Plea to Multiple Charges

The court heard that Aubeeluck pleaded guilty to 23 counts of money laundering. The charges were brought under sections 3(1)(a) and (b), 6, and 8 of the Financial Intelligence and Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The investigation revealed a sustained pattern of suspicious financial activity spanning seven years.

Between May 2015 and June 2022, various sums of money were systematically deposited into the defendant’s bank accounts.

Criminal Origins

According to evidence presented to the court, the illicit funds were the direct proceeds from the sale of psychotropic substances.

During the investigation, Aubeeluck was unable to provide a credible explanation for the transactions.

In delivering the sentence, the Court highlighted the gravity of the offences and the criminal nature of the funds.

A specific fine was imposed for each of the 23 counts to reflect the seriousness of the breaches.

Source: Le Mauricien