Joseph Jean Christophe Françoise, a 37-year-old homeless man was arrested on Wednesday morning, April 19, at Church Road, Petite Pointe aux Piments. A body search carried out on him by police officers from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (Adsu) in Trou aux Biches revealed three plastic containers containing 12.92 grams of heroin, with a street value of Rs 193,800. A sum of Rs 1525 suspected to be from the sale of this drug was also seized.
It was on the basis of certain information and after hours of surveillance that these Adsu police officers, led by Sergeant Helene, landed at Church Road, Petite Pointe aux Piments. It was around 8.45am on Wednesday 19 April when the suspect was spotted. He was arrested and subjected to a body search in a discreet location. Three plastic containers were found in his possession. The three containers each contained forty-five doses of heroin, but weighed 4.77, 4.5 and 3.65 grams respectively.
A sum of Rs 1525 in different amounts was found in his possession. The Adsu suspects that the money came from the sale of the drug. The suspect was taken to the Adsu office in Trou aux Biches for questioning. During the day he was presented before the Pamplemousses court on a provisional charge of drug trafficking. As the police objected to his release on parole, he was sent to the central prison of Beau Bassin for detention.
