Suspected of being involved in drug trafficking and armed with two search warrants, a raid was carried out at the home of a helper of the State Trading Corporation (STC) at Route Fontaine, Rivière du Rempart on the evening of Thursday, January 12. The raid led to the discovery of one hundred and thirty-seven boxes containing rolling papers (Ti-Papier) at the home of Hemant Kumar Dhuny, alias Nitin, aged 42. A sum of Rs 235,700 was seized from a safe. The suspect was arrested on a provisional charge of illegal possession of rolling papers and brought before the Pamplemousses court. The value of these “Ti-Papiers” seized is Rs 125 000 090. The police want to know who is really behind this importation and if this helper is not just a straw man.
It is on the basis of certain information to the effect that this STC helper is involved in drug trafficking that a team of police officers from the Rivière du Rempart police station, armed with two search warrants, raided the home of Hemant Kumar Dhuny at Route Royale, Rivière du Rempart. However, no drugs or other incriminating items were found. A second search warrant was presented to him concerning a house he occupies at Fontaine Street, Rivière du Rempart. Hesitant at first, he had to accept that a search be done, “mo dakor ki mo mem okip sa lakaz la, mo pou akompagn la polis laba volonterman”, he said.
Sergeant Nundah and the other police officers then entered the two-room, one-bedroom house on Fontaine Street, Rivière du Rempart. The suspect then had to declare, “bos mo ena boit kanf isi”. In his presence a yellow and red box with a 333 Pure Camphor logo was opened, this one had another brown box inside with a pale green logo showing flying papers and in white at the top of the box is written King Size Slim. This box contained fifty notebooks of the brand Flying papers which each contained thirty-three single sheets.
On the spot, he was informed of the offence of illegal possession of the rolling papers which weighs on him. He was later to declare, “bos sa bann boîte kanf la ena papier rouler ladan ki mon importe pou mo vende, guette ki ou kpave fer pou mwa”. In the corridor of this house another box with the inscription OCB 50 cashier booklet was opened by a policeman and each contained fifty booklets. “Donn mwa enn sans missie mo ti pou tras enn lavi are sa papier rouler la”.
The suspect was later taken back to his home in Barlow, Rampart River. A safe was opened in which there was Rs 235,700 in different denominations. The police also searched another house at Roches-Noires, but no incriminating items were found.
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