For some weeks now, Mauritius is being referred to as a hub for international drug trafficking. Massive quantities of drugs have been seized at the port and airport. The image of the country has taken a hit and according to information provided in Parliament on Tuesday, Rs 3 billion worth of illicit drugs have been seized at both the airport and port.
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According to the 2011 United Nations Drug Report, the small population of Mauritius has a prevalence of opiate consumption of 0.91%, the highest in Eastern Africa, while 3.9% of the population are regular cannabis users. Drug addiction in Mauritius has led to the proliferation of prostitution, thefts and armed attack.
Sociologist Pavi Ramhota notes there is a general degeneration in the country. “Our society is more than ever affected by social ills such as drugs and gambling. Everywhere we turn, we see drugs circulating, betting houses mushrooming, among others. These are greatly affecting our population, especially our youth,” he says.
The sociologist trusts that the drug issue is critical as youngsters are greatly affected by it. “Drugs are more present in our educational institutions. As some drugs are difficult to get or are expensive, youngsters are going towards synthetic drugs, which are very dangerous. These comprise of fatal concoctions.”
Pavi Ramhota explains that there are shortcomings in our educational system. “Teachers and those in power find themselves helpless in front of the situation. Not much can be done to prevent the youth from being trapped. It is good thing that we have laws to protect children. But at the same, this gives them a sense of impunity even when they have crossed all limits.”
Technology is another contributing factor. “Youngsters have easy access to information and communication through technology. It is an easy means to get access to drugs as well.” The sociologist argues that the Ministry of Education is laying too much emphasis on the Nine-Year Continuous Basic Education instead of tackling serious issues such as drugs in schools.
The government is focusing more on infrastructural and development projects instead of working towards a better society. “The government is focusing on projects such as Metro Express but they are leaving behind societal issues. It is very good that the government and the authorities are seizing drugs entering the country but they must attack the issue at its core. That is, they must start by raising awareness amongst people especially the youth. Also, laws must be more severe. Drug dealers and smugglers should not be released on bail.”
If the government wants the advancement of society, says Pavi Ramhota, it must invest in the education of the youth and future generations. “Education is the key to combat drugs. It is alarming to see that in many Mauritian families, the parents themselves are involved in drugs. Educating parents is very important. Many young couples do not know how to educate their children. Moral and social values and norms are more important than pocket money.”
Imran Dhunn
oo: “We are heading towards our downfall”
Drugs stated becoming widespread in the early 1980s. However, in recent years, the issue has increased manifolds. Social worker Imran Dhunnoo says this is having a negative impact in social and economic terms. “Socially we are heading towards our downfall but were now also suffering economically. A drug addict spends a minimum of Rs 18,000 per month. Most of them do not work and hence tend to steal. The government is already investing a lot in Methadone replacement therapy. But the drug problem persists.” He also explains that in the long run, the number of people living with HIV might increase. “We all know that HIV spreads when drug addicts use the same syringe. So, if the number of drug addicts increases day by day, the number of infected people might also increase. This implies increasing health expenditure. Our main resource is our people. But when its human resources are not in good health, then economy and development is paralyzed,” he says. Unfortunately, notes Imran Dhunnoo, the average age of drug users is getting lower. “Nowadays, young girls and boys are taking drugs as they are readily available. The huge drug seizures are a sign that the demand is high. It is the law of demand and supply. If some people are in the drug business, it is because there is money to be made. Social workers have been campaigning against drug use but this is not bringing changes. Penalties must be tougher. It is time to seize properties bought with drug money.”
Darmen Appadoo: “Both men and women are affected”
Darmen Appadoo from SOS PAPA reveals that drug abuse is adversely impacting family life, society and the country. “Drug abuse is affecting both men and women. There are families where either one or both partners do drugs. Regardless of the scenario, the country stands to lose. Many families are breaking apart because of this scourge. Male drug addicts usually do not work and look for easy money. Cases of larceny hold up and thefts have increased.” The government is already investing in the Methadone replacement therapy but the expected results are not there, instead other issues have cropped up. “People taking methadone do not work and keep on staying near distribution centers day and night.”
Bhavish Jugurnath: “Demonetisation is a solution”
Drugs trafficking can have significant impact on the economy. “There is something that we call the shadow economy. This involves everything related to drugs, money laundering, black market, illegal activities, crimes, among others,” states economist Bhavish Jugurnath. “The sale of drugs means that money will be circulating. This money is often laundered through economic transactions such as in investments. Thus, the illicit money will contribute to economic growth. However, such growth will not reflect the reality as it is fallacious.” Some of the ways through which drug trafficking and selling can be curbed down is through changing bank notes. “For example, India demonetised its INR 500 and INR 1,000 notes to curtail the shadow economy. This may be one of the solutions against the shadow economy. Also, I trust the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) can work together to track down the source of illegal money and money laundering.”
Mauritian suspected drug trafficker Tonta arrested in Kenya
On Thursday night in Maputo, Mozambique, anti-narcotics detectives arrested 12 suspected drug dealers. Among them, suspected Mauritian drug dealer Roger Gerard Alberty Tonta. Coast regional police coordinator Philip Tuimur said during the operation police recovered heroin worth 10 million shillings, and currency in U.S dollars and Kenyan shillings stuffed in plastic bags and two pistols and 25 rounds of ammunition.
The Mauritian was previously suspected of sending a heroin-stuffed model ship. In another case, he was sentenced on 23 December 2008 to two fines of Rs 1,000 for possession and consumption of marijuana. An inquiry was opened on this inhabitant of Plaisance, Rose-Hill, in 1998. At the time, the authorities had discovered drugs and rolling papers in a parcel sent by the Madagascar Post Office.
Tonta set sail for Madagascar on December 23, 2010 without ever setting foot in Mauritius. The Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit suspects he has been involved in drug trafficking there. He later decided to settle in Kenya, on the border with Tanzania, under a fake identity.
The Kenyan police have strong suspicions that the Mauritian who called himself Roger Alberty Fulvio and who presented himself as a musician in the town of Likoni recruited mules to introduce heroin to Madagascar, Mauritius and even the Seychelles. The ADSU, on the other hand, believes that this Mauritian had recourse to his mules to ship drugs to Dubai.
Threats made against Drug Commission panel
The police central command has initiated procedures to grant protection to Paul Lam Shang Leen, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Drugs and to his assessor Sam Lauthan. Threats have been made against them. With the hearings' increasing revelations about the drug trafficking business, the safety of the two men has become a hot issue.
A decision should be taken shortly at the Line Barracks once the Commissioner of Police, Mr Mario Nobin, returns from his official mission in India, on Monday. The police have over the past few weeks busted several drug trafficking channels.
Paul Lam Shang Leen and Sam Lauthan should receive the services of a bodyguard on their journeys. Sam Lauthan, for his part, will be allowed to carry a firearm. Steps have been initiated to that end. This decision comes after the drug commission decided to go on the offensive in the auditions. Summons have been issued to people related to drug offenders.
Rs 3 billion of drugs seized in four years at port and airport
From 2014 to 2017, Rs 3 billion worth of drugs were seized at the port and airport. This is revealed by a document tabled on Tuesday in Parliament following a question on drug trafficking. Among them, almost all, Rs 2.5 billion were seized in the port area. Drugs with a total value of Rs 1.3 million were seized in 2014. Drugs worth Rs 39.3 million in 2015. Last year, drugs worth worth Rs 70.7 million were seized. So far, this year,
Rs 2.4 billion worth of drugs were seized. Regarding the airport, a total of Rs 559.6 million of drugs were seized during the same period. There are 719 seeds, 710 tablets and 14 630 grams of other drugs in 2014, with a total value of Rs 178.3 million. In 2015, 19,964.96 grams of drugs worth Rs 159 million 7,700.33 grams and 2,136 tablets worth Rs 95.7 million in 2016 and finally 12,905.65 grams of drug in 2017 worth Rs 126.6 million.
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