FCC Operation: Seizures Worth Rs 21 Million, Four Suspects Detained

The Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) conducted a series of simultaneous raids on Tuesday, August 5, across seven regions of the island as part of a large-scale operation against money laundering. Authorities estimate the value of the seizures to be around 21 million rupees.

Six suspects were apprehended, including four individuals who were arrested: Steven Moothoocurpen, Kaviraj Luximon, Jason Palmer, and Kovilen Murday, the latter being a former police officer.

They appeared in court in Moka that afternoon. The police objected to their release on bail. The four men face a preliminary charge of money laundering, with their next court appearance scheduled for Thursday. In the meantime, they remain in custody.

This operation was led by the National Coordination Committee, comprising the FCC, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Solicitor General, the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA), the Bank of Mauritius, and the police. The operation began around 4 AM in Trèfles, Camp-Levieux, Rose-Hill, Morne, Petit-Verger, Saint-Pierre, and Beau-Bassin.

In Petit-Verger, Steven Moothoocurpen, a bouncer named in connection with the 2014 shooting case, had three collectible cars seized, along with seven other vehicles, including a Porsche Cayenne, a Harley Davidson, and a Kawasaki.

At Kovilen Murday's residence in St Julien Village, investigators seized 1.4 million rupees in cash and a Ford Raptor. In Beau-Bassin, following a search at Jason Palmer's home, seven vehicles were sealed, estimated to be worth 5.4 million rupees.

Finally, a speedboat valued at approximately 600,000 rupees was seized at Morne, belonging to Kaviraj Luximon.