433.10 kg of Cocaine on Board Alpha Bravery: Ramgoolam Reveals Details of Record Seizure in Parliament
On Tuesday, November 11, Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam made a statement in Parliament regarding the exceptional seizure of 433.10 kg of a white substance suspected to be cocaine, estimated to be worth 6.5 billion rupees, aboard the ship Alpha Bravery.
He stated that this operation sends a clear message to international trafficking networks: Mauritius will not tolerate the use of its maritime domain for illicit activities.
The ship, which left Brazil on October 7, 2025, carrying a cargo of iron ore and destined for China via Singapore, was flying the Greek flag and had a crew of 23 members, including six Greeks, one Russian, and seventeen Filipinos.
The suspicious packages were discovered by the chief engineer during a routine inspection, hidden in the cofferdam of the engine room and secured with life jackets, following a method known to traffickers for dropping drugs at sea.
After receiving the information, the Mauritian police activated a multi-agency response that included the National Coast Guard, the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU), the Special Mobile Force, the Scenes of Crime Office (SOCO), the K9 unit, MARCOS commandos, and the Mauritius Revenue Authority. The Alpha Bravery was continuously monitored and intercepted by Coast Guard commandos on Saturday, November 8, using a helicopter. The ship was escorted to the Port Louis harbor and anchored on Sunday, November 9, where police and customs conducted inspections and secured evidence.
The packages were opened, and the substance suspected of cocaine was confirmed, while the crew denied any knowledge of these activities.
Navin Ramgoolam emphasized that this operation marks a record seizure for Mauritius, recalling that suspicious vessels had previously sailed in our waters without intervention, despite alerts from the Regional Maritime Information Centre (RMIC). He praised the exemplary coordination between the various agencies and the effectiveness of the operation, conducted in accordance with international maritime law and established procedures.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to combating drug trafficking and transnational organized crime by strengthening inter-agency cooperation, intelligence, training, and maritime surveillance technologies. He also noted that during his official visit to India, he requested assistance from that country for monitoring the vast Mauritian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), assistance that has been granted by the Indian authorities.
Navin Ramgoolam concluded his address to the National Assembly by stating, "We will continue to be ruthless against all kinds of mafia," highlighting the government's determination to defend territorial integrity and protect the Mauritian population and economy.
