Mauritius Prime Minister announces arrest of major drug baron

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam announced in Parliament the arrest of a major drug baron during a high-stakes session on Tuesday, 20 October. While the Prime Minister did not disclose the suspect's identity, reports indicate the individual is a 47-year-old man from Bambous.

The arrest was conducted by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) in connection with an investigation into recent looting and burglaries in the region. During an operation at Cité La Ferme, police and the Groupement d’intervention de la police mauricienne (GIPM) arrested the suspect along with his 66-year-old mother and a 23-year-old woman. Authorities recovered items suspected to be stolen, with an estimated value exceeding Rs 3 million. These items may be linked to recent pillaging at a local shopping center and the Bambous Cooperative Store Society Ltd.

The parliamentary session also addressed civil unrest, curfews, and a water crisis. Opposition leader Chetan Baboolall questioned the government regarding the age of criminal responsibility and allegations of using advanced surveillance equipment to intercept private communications, which the Prime Minister dismissed.