Fourteen people, including nine Thai nationals and five Mauritian individuals, are in custody in connection with the seizure of a Thai yacht carrying 1.5 tonnes of cannabis and hashish worth approximately Rs 2.7 billion off the coast of Baie-du-Tombeau on October 21. The detained individuals include a National Coast Guard officer, with a second officer taken into custody this week. Authorities are scrutinizing the captain's phone records, which allegedly contain incriminating photos and messages.
The investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting that the drug smugglers may have exploited the 13-19 October unrest in Mauritius, during which police resources were stretched thin, as a cover for their operation. Prime Minister Ramgoolam has raised the possibility that the riots were used as logistics for the drug run. Detectives are currently matching dates, boat movements, and messages to determine if there is a connection between the two incidents.
A new link road in Ébène, designed to alleviate traffic congestion, has been opened by Minister of National Infrastructure Ajay Gunness. The Julius Nyerere B1-M1 Link Road, which cost Rs 332 million, allows drivers to bypass the Réduit area and directly access the M1 motorway. The project was undertaken by Transinvest with GIBB Engineering under the Road Development Authority.
The Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) has issued a reminder that today is the last day to file income tax returns. Failure to comply will result in a penalty of Rs 2,000 per month, capped at Rs 5,000 for individuals and small firms, and Rs 20,000 for larger entities. The MRA expects around 300,000 returns this year, down from 348,153, following changes to the tax regime.
The Financial Crimes Commission, Mauritius' financial crime watchdog, has identified four systemic weaknesses in the Quatre Bornes Municipal Council's handling of project funds. The October report highlights gaps in the council's spending procedures, making it difficult to track expenditures from decision to payment.
In a positive development, 72 families have received the keys to their new homes at Pointe-aux-Piments, part of a state housing project. The handover is part of the Rent-to-Own scheme, which assists households that cannot secure a bank loan or purchase a home outright. The project is one of the largest of its kind, with 200 homes planned for the site.
Separately, US sanctions have been imposed on Rwanda's defence ministry over its support for the M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo. The move aims to pressure Kigali to withdraw its troops and disengage from the group. In response, Hong Kong's leader has apologized for a devastating fire that killed 168 people in a housing complex, with the city's Housing Secretary resigning amid scrutiny of safety protocols.
Key points
- Investigators suspect that October's unrest in Mauritius may have been used as cover for a massive drug smuggling operation worth Rs 2.7 billion.
- A new link road has been opened in Ébène to alleviate traffic congestion in the region.
- US sanctions have been imposed on Rwanda's defence ministry over its support for rebels in eastern DR Congo.
