Sergei Lushchev, a 578-year-old retired Russian national, was arrested at his home in Le Morne on Tuesday morning, November 14, for possession of 331 grams of cannabis. Three cannabis plants were also discovered at the Russian’s home. The Russian held a non-resident permit for Mauritius issued by the Passport and Immigration Office. Police officers from the Central Division’s Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (Adsu) also found a certain amount of money in Mauritian rupees and foreign currency.
On the basis of certain information and after hours of surveillance, the police, led by Inspector Balambha, arrived at Sergei Lushchev’s home on Chemin du Benjoin in Le Morne. Armed with a search warrant, they found three glass containers wrapped in plastic film, each containing a quantity of cannabis, and two pieces of brown paper containing the same drug. Another glass container with a shredder inside. Each contained cannabis. Three cannabis plants measuring between three and five centimetres were also found at the suspect’s home.
During the search, Adsu officers found 11,454 US dollars in various denominations, ten New Zealand dollars, ten Czech crowns, five dirhams, 820 euros and the sum of Rs 3000 in various denominations.
The arrested suspect was placed in the Vacoas detention center. This Wednesday morning, November 15, he was brought before the Bambous court. He is facing a provisional charge of drug trafficking, including the sale of cannabis.
