Poste-La-Fayette: Anti-Illegal Fishing Operation Goes Awry, Stolen Fisheries Boat Recovered

An operation conducted by the Fisheries Department of the Ministry of Fishing went awry on Saturday evening at Poste-La-Fayette. It all began when officers received information about illegal fishing activities near Île aux Moineaux.

Upon arrival, they discovered a canoe using unauthorized nets. The fisheries guards seized the boat and arrested the occupants, bringing the evidence - the boat, the nets, and the freshly caught fish - back to the Fisheries office in Poste-La-Fayette.

However, the operation quickly escalated. Around 11 PM, five individuals arrived in a canoe and attempted to assault the officers with a club. Facing this threat, the fisheries guards had to retreat. The suspects made off with the evidence, allowing the arrested fishermen to escape, and also took the Fisheries Department's outboard motor. This was later found about 200 meters away in the lagoon.

A complaint was filed at the Flacq police station, and the investigation has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the region.