A raid by the Metropolitan Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) on Tuesday morning, September 6, found Rs 7,192,750 worth of drugs hidden under dry leaves in a vacant lot at Route Bassin, Quatre-Bornes. The team, led by Inspector Jean Claude Vally, had information about a drug stash at the location. An individual, who was found at this location, managed to flee when the police arrived.
It is on the basis of the information obtained that these police officers raided the vacant lot at around 11am on Tuesday morning, 6 September. An individual wearing a black surgical mask, a black cap and a full camo suit fled towards a river when he saw the police officers. The man, who was chased by the police, managed to escape.
Back at the place where he was, under a pile of dry branches, these policemen were to find a Quecha brand backpack with two transparent plastics, which were filled with dry leaves suspected to be synthetic drugs. An investigation was initiated to trace the man’s whereabouts.
The day before, on Monday 5 September at around 8.30am, another team from this squad, led by Sergeants Ramkeelawon and Lactive and under the supervision of Chief Inspector Rajeev Subbareddi, arrested Ashley Ryan Nuckchadee, 18, for drug trafficking during a raid in Cité Bassin, Quatre-Bornes. The teenager was arrested after synthetic drugs and heroin, 113.1 grams and 5.9 grams respectively, were found at his home. The street value of the drugs is Rs 654,000. A sum of Rs 105,500 suspected to be derived from the sale of the drug was also seized along with an electronic scale, 110 doses of synthetic drug and 28 pieces of rectangle foil. In the absence of the suspect, the search was conducted in the presence of his 16-year-old concubine and her 22-year-old sister-in-law. The women were taken to the Rose Hill ADSU office following the drug seizure. They were released unconditionally after Ashley Nuckchadee surrendered himself at about 2.20pm the same day and confessed that the seized drugs belonged to him.
Ashley Nuckchadee was brought before the Rose Hill Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday morning, September 6, where he was charged with a provisional charge of drug trafficking. He was subsequently taken back to the Stanley Police Station.
In addition, a team from the Metropolitan ADSU, led by Inspector Jauferally, arrested Joseph Sylvano Clair, alias Golo, a 33-year-old bricklayer in Ti Rodigues State Land, Cité La Cure on Monday 5 September at 2.45pm following a raid on his home. 220 grams of cannabis worth Rs 220,000 and an electronic scale were seized from a table. Sylvano Clair was brought before the Port Louis court on Tuesday morning, September 6, before being taken back to the police cell.
