Mauritian Woman Jailed for 20 Years Over Rs 1.5 Billion Heroin Plot

A 55-year-old woman has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in a massive heroin trafficking operation valued at approximately Rs 1.5 billion.

Bibi Tasleema Bruls appeared before the Assize Court on Wednesday, 6 May, where she was also ordered to pay a fine of Rs 200,000.

Three of her relatives received sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years for their involvement in the conspiracy, which saw authorities seize over 100kg of heroin.

A Family Affair

The court heard how the group, all residents of Camp-de-Masque-Pavé, facilitated the drug ring led by Oomar Karrimbuccus.

The defendants, who all pleaded guilty, included:

• Bibi Rashida Karrimbuccus (61): The wife of the ringleader, sentenced to 15 years and fined Rs 200,000.
• Beebee Rehana Peerkhan (68): Bruls’ sister-in-law, sentenced to 12 years and fined Rs 100,000.
• Mohammad Umayr Bin Karrimbuccus (29): The ringleader’s son, sentenced to 10 years and fined Rs 100,000.

The Failed High-Seas Operation

The convictions stem from a series of events in October 2018. An initial attempt to retrieve the cargo at Soudan Bank failed due to poor weather, while a second attempt left a crew stranded at sea without fuel or food following a mechanical breakdown.

Investigative reports revealed that the four defendants mobilised to rescue the operation. On 27 October 2018, Bruls provided Rs 40,000 for fuel.

Two days later, the group purchased a satellite phone, water, and provisions at a petrol station, delivering the supplies to accomplices to ensure the drug shipment could be recovered.

Police Intervention

The plot finally unravelled on 30 October 2018, when police intercepted a speedboat one nautical mile off Coin de Mire, in northern Mauritius.

Officers discovered nearly 100kg of heroin on board, leading to the arrests of Oomar Karrimbuccus and two others, Fabrice Hemsley Jean Pierre and Jean Michel Julebert Rosette.

Judicial Ruling

In his judgment, Mr Justice Medhi Shakeel Manrakhan noted that three of the defendants were repeat offenders.

Bruls and Bibi Rashida Karrimbuccus both had prior drug-related convictions, while Peerkhan had a history of money laundering.

Only the youngest defendant, Mohammad Umayr Bin Karrimbuccus, had a clean criminal record.

The court concluded that the “gravity of the offence” and the aggravating circumstances necessitated significant custodial sentences for all involved.

Source: Defi Media