Drug Trafficking and Kidnapping: El Capo Makes Allegations Against the Police

Brandon Rodrigues Sena, known as "El Capo," has been provisionally charged since October 30, 2025, at the Flacq court for drug trafficking with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit kidnapping. He spoke publicly for the first time since his arrest, claiming that police officers demanded Rs 4 million from him and pressured those he was staying with to incriminate him in this drug case.

El Capo asserts that he is being held "for nothing" and requests to be "treated with respect." He argues that many of the elements against him are erroneous and insists he has cooperated with investigators. He denounces an "illegal" search of his belongings.

He claims that police attempted to negotiate with him, demanding Rs 4 million and his mobile phone, a sum he refused to pay. He also alleges he has not had access to his lawyer, Me Irfaan Jadhakhan, who confirmed in court that he has been unable to meet his client, detained at the Moka detention center, for over a week. The lawyer has reported the situation to the Mauritius Bar Council and the Human Rights Commission.

On the other hand, Sergeant Lagaillard from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of Flacq stated that the investigation is ongoing and that further searches are planned. The police oppose bail, citing the risk of witness interference, flight risk, recidivism, and evidence tampering.

Thus, 31-year-old El Capo and his two accomplices, Pierre Stéphane Esso (28) and Jean Fabrice Gâteau (20), have been remanded in police custody until their next appearance on November 27, 2025, set by Magistrate Yakrajsingh Ramsohok. The three men were arrested on October 29, 2025, in Argy, Flacq, during an operation led by the CID. Investigators discovered 10 grams of cocaine in the vehicle they were in, valued at Rs 135,000. Additionally, they are also suspected of being involved in a kidnapping incident that occurred on October 25, 2025, in the northern part of the island.

Brandon Rodrigues Sena is suspected of playing a key role in a large international cocaine trafficking network dismantled in 2022. It is noted that he has been in Mauritius since late May 2025, holding a 15-day visa that has now expired.