Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering in Quatre-Bornes: 2.4 kg of Drugs, Two Cars and Two Motorcycles Seized
An extensive operation conducted by the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) resulted in the seizure of 2.4 kg of drugs, along with several vehicles, in the Quatre-Bornes area on Thursday, January 29. A 28-year-old resident of Curepipe, Jean Olivier Kali, was arrested and appeared in court on Friday facing preliminary charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.
The intervention took place on an agricultural plot where the drugs were concealed. In addition to the narcotics, two vehicles, including a Toyota C-HR SUV, and two motorcycles, a Kawasaki and a Yamaha, were confiscated for investigation purposes.
On Thursday morning, officers from the ADSU's Southern Division, led by Chief Inspector Appalsamy, visited a farm located at Robert Edward Hart, Quatre-Bornes, after gathering information about significant drug trafficking and suspicions of money laundering. The main suspect was not present at the scene during the operation.
However, police encountered a 23-year-old man responsible for maintaining the crops. A search revealed a plastic bag containing three packets of what is suspected to be synthetic drugs, totaling 2.4 kg, which was sealed for evidence. The young man was arrested for possession of dangerous drugs but was released on bail pending his court appearance scheduled for Friday, January 30.
In the same vicinity, a 43-year-old mechanic was also apprehended after a handmade cigarette containing a mix of tobacco and cannabis was discovered. He too was released on bail and is under investigation for cannabis possession.
Around noon, the ADSU conducted a raid at the farmer's home in Rose-Hill, where 0.5 g of cannabis was seized. Then, around 1 PM, a search was carried out at the main suspect's home located in Les Casernes, Curepipe. Investigators seized several items, including a mobile phone, two gold chains, a gold bracelet, and cash amounting to Rs 3,850. The ADSU suspects that these items were purchased with proceeds from illegal activities.
Three vehicles were also found: a Honda Fit, a green Kawasaki motorcycle, and a black Yamaha scooter, believed to be linked to criminal activities.
Jean Olivier Kali was ultimately arrested, while the other suspect, the farmer, was released after the investigation.
The operation was conducted by Chief Inspector Appalsamy, under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sooknah and Superintendent of Police (SP) Ghoora from the ADSU.
