MAURITIUS — A major international drug trafficking operation was uncovered on Sunday when eight foreign passengers, including a seven-year-old child, were arrested upon arrival at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Authorities seized 161.9 kilograms of cannabis hidden in their luggage, estimated to be worth a staggering Rs 194.2 million.
The suspects arrived aboard a British Airways flight from Gatwick Airport, London. Upon disembarkation, their belongings were subjected to a thorough search during a coordinated operation between the Customs Anti-Narcotics Section (CANS) and the Airport Anti-Drug & Smuggling Unit (ADSU). The sweep, part of routine profiling and surveillance, led to the shocking discovery of the massive drug cache concealed in multiple suitcases. Among the suspects is a single mother of two identified as Natashia Artug, a 35-year-old British woman who claimed innocent
Investigations are being conducted under the watch of Superintendent of Police Ghoora, with assistance from ASP Goinden and Chief Inspector Doss of the ADSU. Authorities are now working to determine the exact role of each suspect in the operation, and whether the child was knowingly involved or used as a decoy.
Sources close to the investigation say the operation bears the hallmarks of a transnational drug syndicate. Police are now collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to trace the origin of the cannabis and uncover the broader network behind the trafficking attempt. The identity and nationalities of the suspects are being withheld for operational reasons.
The accused individuals were brought before the Mahebourg Magistrate’s Court on Monday afternoon, where legal proceedings were initiated. They remain in police custody as the investigation deepens. The presence of a minor among the suspects has raised further concerns, prompting child protection services to step in.
