A joint operation of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS) of the Mauritius Revenue Authority and the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) of Plaisance Airport led to the arrest of a French couple for importing drugs, which were concealed in their underwear, in the late afternoon of Saturday 12 February. Jade Cassiopee Ionas, aged 27, had 16.42 grams of heroin worth Rs 246,300 in her possession while her companion, Nicolas Laurent Rufat, aged 42, had 6.93 grams of hashish mixed with cannabis, worth an estimated Rs 20,790.
This couple working in the health sector arrived in Mauritius for a ten-day vacation where they were to stay in a hotel in Blue-Bay. The two French nationals arrived on Corsair flight SS 710 at around 2:30 pm on Saturday, February 12. A body search conducted by CANS and ADSU men discovered drugs in their underwear. However, no drugs were found in their suitcases.
After spending a first night in a police cell, during the day of Sunday February 13, Jade Cassiopee Ionas and Nicolas Laurent Rufat were brought before the Bail and Remand Court in Port-Louis. This Monday morning, February 14, the couple was presented to the court of Mahébourg.
