STC Rice and Flour – Subsidized Goods Sold Illegally: A Comorian Arrested by the FCC

A Comorian national was arrested last night by the Financial Crimes Commission (FCC) as part of an investigation into the illegal exportation of subsidized ration rice and flour. According to initial findings, he is believed to be involved in the export of these products. This case came to light a few weeks ago when it was discovered that subsidized goods intended for the Mauritian market had been diverted for export to Comoros.

This development follows an internal investigation initiated about a month ago by the State Trading Corporation (STC), concerning a large-scale fraud involving subsidized rice and flour imported by the public body and resold at heavily subsidized prices.

According to consistent reports, a portion of these goods has been diverted from their normal distribution channels to be sold illegally, particularly abroad. At the center of the suspicions is a major distributor of STC products.

A source within the STC revealed that initial findings indicated subsidized products were being sold in Comoros. Investigations have also established that these practices are not recent. The case will be referred to the police and FCC in due course.

Particular suspicion surrounds a major buyer and distributor operating in the local market, who allegedly procured large quantities of subsidized rice and flour from the STC before reselling some of it abroad, bypassing control mechanisms. These products, intended to support the purchasing power of Mauritian households, have thus fueled a lucrative parallel market.