Law and Order and Drugs: A Major Concern

The rise in burglaries, violence, revenge killings, assaults, and drug trafficking is fueling a growing sense of insecurity in Mauritius. Beyond the statistics, the social and moral balance appears to be weakening. Authorities aim to reassure the public, but concerns about insecurity remain prominent. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam expressed his dissatisfaction in an interview with TéléPlus on December 16. While law enforcement has increased operations and seizures, criminal networks continue to adapt, organize, and evolve, particularly in drug trafficking.

The situation surrounding drugs remains one of the country's key security challenges. In 2024, the total value of seized drugs reached Rs 1.56 billion. In 2025, authorities intensified their efforts with several large-scale operations. From November 2024 to March 2025, there were 942 arrests in 1,076 drug-related cases. These numbers indicate both an increase in police activity and a troubling persistence of trafficking networks. Changes in operational methods, such as the diversification of routes and increased use of postal and mule systems, as well as the rise of synthetic drugs, are evident on the ground. Drug trafficking continues to be a persistent threat despite the authorities' efforts.

Cooperation

To improve the situation in 2026, several strategies are emerging through coordination among the police, the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (Adsu), the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA), and port and postal services. The goal is to better anticipate the networks. The police, MRA, and Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) emphasize collaboration and information sharing in the fight against crime.

Additionally, tracking down criminal assets is a crucial lever. Targeting the finances of networks through money laundering investigations and confiscations could help weaken criminal structures. The FCC has increased its operations in this regard, targeting assets worth Rs 32 billion.

From November 2024 to December 2025, Rs 9.9 billion worth of these assets have been frozen at the request of the FCC, following a new leadership established after the November 2024 elections. Rs 15 million in cash has been returned following financial crime investigations. "We are addressing our shortcomings in these areas and will become effective," says Tritudeo Dawoodarry, interim director of the FCC. Community policing, visibility on the ground, and cooperation with citizens are key elements for reassurance and prevention.

Seizure of Suspects' Assets

The FCC has established a priority list for 2026. The seizure of assets from suspects believed to be from illicit sources is set to intensify in 2026. The FCC is already in the process of establishing necessary procedures, with the support of its Asset Recovery Department, for the seizure of suspicious assets. In terms of education and prevention, the Commission is also outlining a denser calendar of activities for 2026.

Another priority project for the FCC is to finalize ongoing investigations, particularly high-profile cases, to forward their investigation files to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for further action.

In 2025, the FCC intensified its actions against financial crimes, marking a year rich in activities, seizures, and international cooperation. In its first bulletin published on December 9, in conjunction with International Anti-Corruption Day, the FCC reported 1,595 investigations, of which 733 are still ongoing since November 2024. More than 90 arrests were made. Assets valued at Rs 9.9 billion were seized, including vehicles, homes, and other luxury items. In several ongoing investigations, targeted assets total up to Rs 32 billion, reflecting the financial scale of certain cases.

For 2026, these actions will be further intensified, it is claimed. Regarding international cooperation, agreements have already been signed with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in India, as well as collaborations with the FBI, UNODC, and OECD.

After raising awareness among more than 5,000 people in 2025 through education and prevention campaigns, this momentum is expected to continue. The aim is to instill values among various stakeholders across different sectors. Officials, public representatives, and private sector participants have been trained in best practices for transparency and compliance. Following a year marked by significant arrests and seizures, the Commission intends to maintain and strengthen its approach.

Drug Trafficking

Ally Lazer: "We Need to Put the Right Man in the Right Place"

Ally Lazer, an anti-drug activist with the Mauritius Social Workers Association, states, "Prisons are filled with drug consumers; if prisons were filled with drug dealers, I would be a different story." He laments that during the election campaign, the government made fighting drug trafficking a priority, while the reality on the ground is quite different. "In 2025, we saw a peak where drugs caused significant disruption; while one kilogram is seized, many more kilograms cross unnoticed, leading to a persistent drug supply," he remarks.

According to him, his regular observations confirm this. "Drugs are being sold 24/7, as if they have become normalized, with many places resembling legalized zones for drug sales."

To combat this scourge, Ally Lazer advocates for apolitical organizations to lead this fight. "Many youths are dying, families are suffering, blood is being shed in the fight against drugs; we must not have political nominations; we need to put the right man in the right place."