Postal services: Rs 52.3 million worth of drugs seized since January

The authorities have seized Rs 52.3 million worth of drugs at the postal services, port and airport since the beginning of 2016, according to figures from the Custom Services. 34 seizures were carried out by Custom Officers and the Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit (ADSU) since January at the country’s two Parcel Post Offices, prohited substances include marijuana, heroine and LSD among others. 

Controls have been stepped up in those two offices as end of year festivities draw close. In all, 16 parcels were seized weighing a total of 3.47 kg of heroine with a street value of Rs 51.8 million. Three parcels containing a total of 1.59 kg of cannabis were seized. The estimated street value is at Rs 963,000. Three parcels containing 14.6 gm of haschich were also seized with a street value of Rs 38,890 as well as 66.4 gm of synthetic drugs valued at Rs 72,870 and 500 gm of cannabis grains valued at Rs 50,000.

As compared to last year, there is a slight rise in the humber of seizures effected at the two Parcel Posts Offices, having increased from 27 to 34. However, the monetary value of the seizures has nearly doubled. In 2015, the seizures were valued at Rs 26.3 million. Personnel of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) have increased their efforts to fight against drug trafficking at the two Parcel Post Offices. Among the recent tricks used by drug traffickers: fake addresses, use of identity of dead persons, drugs hidden in cosmetic products, greeting cards and cover files.