Seizure of 16 kg of Cannabis at SSR Airport - ADSU Officer Pagoo: 'I Feel Ashamed'

Title: Seizure of 16 kg of Cannabis at SSR Airport - ADSU Officer Pagoo: 'I Feel Ashamed'

Content:

Neeraj Pagoo, a police officer with the Anti Drug & Smuggling Unit (ADSU) stationed at the airport, has been arrested in connection with the seizure of 16 kilograms of cannabis. He denies any knowledge of the suitcase's contents and accuses Constable Hurruck.

Faced with CCTV footage, Pagoo admits to acting under the orders of his colleague Hurruck from Mahébourg. During his interrogation, he expressed deep remorse, stating, "I feel ashamed." Pagoo, who joined the drug enforcement unit just a year ago, confessed to facilitating an import network for cannabis between France and Mauritius.

The CCTV evidence clearly shows him assisting Lisa Lily Ilona Romain, a French drug mule, as she exited the airport. During his hearing, Pagoo implicated his colleague, Constable Akash Hurruck, asserting that he was merely following orders. "My colleague Hurruck told me to monitor this lady's movements," he told investigators. His task was to keep track of the traveler's actions and update Hurruck in real-time: "I had to update Hurruck until the lady left the airport."

While the operation seemed well-coordinated, a twist of fate changed everything on Monday, March 23. Upon landing, the mule Lisa Romain mistakenly swapped her suitcase on the conveyor belt, leaving the airport with the wrong luggage and abandoning the valuable cargo of 16 kilograms of cannabis.

Although Pagoo admits to assisting the passenger, he tries to distance himself from the drugs, insisting, "I don’t know anything about those drugs," claiming he was merely caught in Hurruck's influence or loyalty.

Dismantling of the 'La Rosa' Network

The investigation led by the ADSU at the airport, with support from the Southern Division, has already resulted in the arrest of ten suspects. In addition to the two police officers and the French mule, investigators have traced back to Oumeshlall Ramsarran, a former prison guard, who is suspected of being a key player in the operation and acting on behalf of the crime boss, Peroumal Veeren, who is currently incarcerated.

Other alleged members of the network, dubbed 'La Rosa', including Angelito Quirin, Kelvin Bundhoo, and Yadhav Lukhun, are also in custody. The phone of Neeraj Pagoo, seized by the IT Unit of the CCID, is expected to reveal further details about the extent of complicity within law enforcement.