Kessaven Ellapen, a 41 year old beach peddler, will be brought before the Pamplemousses court this Friday morning, October 14. This resident of Goodlands is provisionally accused of money laundering. A raid carried out at his home by elements of the Special Striking Team (SST) of the police headquarters on Thursday morning, October 13, led to the seizure of a sum of Rs 480,000 and 20,600 euros, i.e. approximately Rs 844,600. 180 resealable plastic bags, each containing 85 sheets of rolling paper, were also seized.
It was on the basis of certain information and after hours of surveillance that this SST team, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ashik Jagai, searched the house of Kessaven Ellapen at Kalachand Road, Goodlands. The SST had information that this beach hawker was engaged in illegal activities. It is thus that towards 11 hours this Thursday October 13 that his house was searched. These police officers were to find this large shipment of rolling papers and denominations of Rs 2000, Rs 1000 and Rs 500 totaling the sum of Rs 480 000 and denominations in euros, including 50, 20, 10 and 5 respectively.
The exhibits and the suspect were taken to the Central Barracks. After his interrogation, Kessaven Ellapen was placed in detention. This Friday, October 14, he will be brought before the court. The police intend to object to his release on parole.
