During a Crackdown Operation carried out in the area of Rivière des Galets, elements of the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) of the southern division arrested four people during the day of Monday, December 12 for drug offenses. These suspects, including two men and two women, were arrested in possession of heroin, synthetic drugs and cannabis seeds. Money suspected to be from the sale of the drugs was also seized. The two women, Virginie Boodhoo, née Cotte and aged 47 and Babita Ramtiane, 51 were arrested on a charge of drug trafficking.
It is on the basis of information that these four suspects were involved in drug trafficking that an important operation was set up during the day of Monday, December 13 under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent of Police, Rajendranath Jhurry. Four police searches were conducted simultaneously in the village of Rivière des Galets.
It is at the EDC Residence, Rivière des Galets that these two women were apprehended. Virginie Boodhoo, who works as a helper, was found in possession of 14.74 grams of synthetic drugs, 1.22 grams of heroin, ninety-five grams of cannabis and the sum of Rs 39,300.
As for Babita Ramtiane, she was arrested after eighty doses of heroin, i.e. 5.53 grams, five rolls wrapped with adhesive tape containing 7.41 grams of heroin, one roll of partially used adhesive tape and Rs 12,150 were seized. The ADSU suspects that this money was derived from the sale of the drug.
A raid made in a house at Route Royale, Rivière des Galets allowed this police officer to arrest a 45 year old man after he was found in possession of 0.15 grams of synthetic drug. A 19 year old boy was arrested in the same street after a search of his house found 0.90 grams of synthetic drugs.
The four suspects were brought before the Court of Souillac during the day on Monday 13 December. The two men were released on bail while the two women were kept in a cell at the central prison of Beau-Bassin. Virginie Boodhoo celebrated her 47th birthday on Thursday, December 9, while Babita Ramtiane will probably celebrate her 52nd birthday on Sunday, January 2, 2022 behind bars.
