The police headquarters at Central Barracks was shaken on the afternoon of Friday June 9, following the evening news program Vimen Leaks, during which parts of an audio recording on a USB stick were broadcast. A conversation between three police officers, during which it was revealed that Bruno Laurette had been framed in this drug trafficking case. In a press release issued on Saturday morning, June 10, the Office of the Police Commissioner reassured the public that a thorough investigation into this allegation of abuse of authority or illegal acts by police officers is underway. The name of Jean Hubert Celerine, alias Franklin, has also been mentioned in this affair, as the man who allegedly brought down Bruno Laurette.
The affidavit sworn by Vimen Sabapati, 39, the former national Muay Thai coach, before the Supreme Court, accompanied by a UBS key, was unveiled and deconstructed to explain the mechanism used by the men of the Special Striking Team (SST) at police headquarters, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Ashik Jagai, to trap Bruno Laurette, who had become a nuisance to the regime in power.
The CP’s office also stressed that the police would act impartially and fairly. That they will not be deterred by these attacks or back down in the fight against the scourge of drugs which is destroying countless young people and their families in Mauritius.
This affair is being commented on in different ways by the public, and even within the police force itself. Many are wondering how the government hotel will react to ensure damage control.
The name of Vimen Sabapati, who is being held on drug trafficking charges following his arrest by the SST, was once again in the news on the evening of Thursday June 8. During a surprise search at the Alcatraz detention center in the Central Barracks, a cell phone was found under a towel in a corridor near cell N0 1, which he occupies. In the wake of this case, Constable Goparlensamy Perianen, a 48-year-old resident of Pailles, was arrested by officers from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Metropolitan Police’s Southern Division. He appeared before the Bail and Remand Court in Port-Louis on Saturday morning, June 10. He is facing a provisional charge of felony waiting.
