Drug Seizure Over Rs 30 Million: Two South Africans Sentenced to 27 Years in Prison

On Friday, January 23, 2026, the Assize Court delivered its verdict. Two South Africans, Lodewyk Blom (30) and Calvin Martin John Cresswell (35), were each sentenced to 27 years in prison for the importation of heroin. They were also fined Rs 50,000 each. The events date back to April 14, 2019, at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Plaine-Magnien.

On that day, the two South Africans arrived on a flight from Johannesburg. They were intercepted while carrying a black shoulder bag. During a search, the police discovered 1,050.36 grams of heroin hidden in the lining of Lodewyk Blom's bag, and 1,005.5 grams in Calvin Martin John Cresswell's bag. The seized drugs are estimated to be worth over Rs 30 million.

Both men pleaded guilty during their trial, facing charges of heroin importation. In court, the defendants expressed regret, citing financial difficulties and claiming they had been deceived by two intermediaries based in South Africa.

According to their account, they were unaware they were transporting drugs and believed they were bringing back a package or money in exchange for a payment of 15,000 rand.

In his analysis, Judge Medhi Shakeel Manrakhan emphasized the seriousness of the offenses. He stated that the importation of such large quantities of heroin poses a direct threat to public health and social order in Mauritius. Even if the two defendants were merely couriers, he noted, their role was still crucial to the operation of an international drug trafficking network. The judge did specify, however, that he considered several mitigating circumstances before delivering his verdict.