Drugs with a street value of Rs 3,103,050 were seized during an operation by the Flying Squad of the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (Adsu) from a house in Stateland, Cité La Cure, on the evening of Saturday 9 September. Jairo Donovan Léopold, a 33-year-old welder, was apprehended at his home. He was found in possession of 176.1 grams of heroin and 92.41 grams of the synthetic drug. Two individuals who were present at his home were also arrested. They are Nathaniel Jean Baptiste, a 32-year-old homeless man, and Jean Arnaud Thomas, a 37-year-old plumber from Sainte-Croix.
It was at 11.45pm on Saturday 9 September that this team from the Casernes Centrales Flying Squad, led by Chief Inspector Sultoo, searched the house. This followed hours of surveillance following information obtained that drug trafficking was taking place there. Jairo Léopold was arrested along with Nathaniel Jean Baptiste and Arnaud Thomas, who were with him after drugs were found in the house. All three suspects are known to the police.
The police found a plastic bag containing a quantity of heroin, another plastic bag containing synthetic drugs, fifty-two doses wrapped in aluminium foil, a plastic measuring spoon and an electronic scale with traces of drugs on them, a pair of scissors, two rolls of partially used black adhesive tape and a razor. All these items are suspected of having been used to prepare the doses of heroin.
The three suspects were taken to the Flying Squad office for questioning. Jairo Léopold was placed in a cell at Grand Bois police station. Arnaud Thomas was placed in a cell at the Piton detention centre. Nathaniel Baptiste, who was not feeling well, was taken to the Dr A.G. Jeetoo hospital in Port-Louis for treatment. He was subsequently admitted to the ward.
The other two suspects were brought before the Bail and Remand Court (BRC) on the morning of Sunday 10 September. Along with Nathaniel Jean Baptiste, who was discharged from hospital on the morning of Monday 11 September, they were brought before the Port-Louis court again on Monday 11 September on a provisional charge of drug trafficking. As the police objected to their release on parole, they were returned to their cells.
