Rs 43.65 Million ‘Class A’ Drug Haul Seized at Mauritius International Airport

Customs officers at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport have intercepted a major shipment of cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of Rs 43.65 million.

The operation, conducted by the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), led to the discovery of nearly 2.9kg of hard drugs concealed within the luggage of a passenger arriving from Madagascar.

The Seizure

The bust occurred on 28 February following the arrival of flight MK289 from Antananarivo. Customs officials flagged a Malagasy national using a risk-profiling system designed to identify high-risk travellers.

Upon a thorough search of the suspect’s belongings, officers discovered a bag containing four carefully wrapped rectangular packages. Preliminary forensic testing confirmed the contents:

• Cocaine: Two packages weighing approximately 1.46kg.
• Heroin: Two packages weighing approximately 1.45kg.

Ongoing Investigation

The illicit substances were immediately secured by the MRA’s Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS).

Following standard protocol, both the suspect and the seized narcotics have been handed over to the police Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU).

Detectives are now working to determine if the individual was operating as a lone courier or as part of a wider international trafficking syndicate spanning Madagascar and Mauritius.

Inquiries are also underway to identify the intended recipients of the cargo on the island.

Source: Le Mauricien