The Indian Ocean has become a significant challenge for Mauritius and La Réunion in their fight against drug trafficking. The vast ocean and limited surveillance capabilities have allowed traffickers to adapt and change their routes. A recent case in Mauritius, known as the Dreamer case, highlighted the complexity of the issue, involving a presumed cannabis shipment, a yacht from Thailand, and international connections. This case illustrates the transformation of the drug trade, which no longer relies solely on traditional channels.
A recent visit to La Réunion revealed that the island is also experiencing a significant shift in the drug market. Journalists and sources close to law enforcement agencies reported that routes are diversifying, products are multiplying, and networks are becoming harder to track. The TREND 2025 report on drug trends in La Réunion confirms this trend, with a notable increase in various substances, including cocaine, crack, dou, ketamine, MDMA, and methamphetamine. The report also highlights the diversification of supply chains, with drugs now arriving by air, postal freight, and sea.
The airport in La Réunion has seen a significant increase in mule interceptions, with 58 cases in 2025, compared to 21 in the previous year. However, the pressure on travelers has led traffickers to seek alternative entry points, with the sea becoming a particular concern. The vastness of the maritime area makes surveillance a permanent challenge, with no single service able to control every boat, movement, and coastline. Law enforcement agencies rely on intelligence, targeted controls, and identifying suspicious behavior to combat the issue.
Traffickers have become increasingly sophisticated, using rapid and difficult-to-trace communication methods, fragmenting operations, and using various boats to transport and recover goods. This has made it challenging for authorities to identify and apprehend those involved. The TREND report notes the use of maritime containers for large quantities and the emergence of new regional routes, particularly via South Africa and East Africa, to supply the Réunion, Mauritius, and Madagascar markets.
The regionalization of drug trafficking has become a critical factor, with the islands serving as markets, transit points, and sometimes logistical bases. The Dreamer case demonstrates this, with investigators seeking to reconstitute the various stages of an operation linking Mauritius to Thailand. International judicial cooperation has been requested to identify potential suppliers, financiers, and masterminds. The goal is to go beyond the individuals arrested and uncover the broader network.
The weakness of material resources is not the only challenge; the issue of presumed complicities has also been raised. Investigations in Mauritius have highlighted the sensitive question of suspected links between individuals in security forces or with access to information and traffickers. This can compromise the entire intelligence chain, as information can be as valuable as a patrol boat or radar in the fight against trafficking.
The fight against drug trafficking in Mauritius and La Réunion requires not only intercepting shipments but also ensuring the integrity of information and those with access to it. The new generation of networks is characterized by younger, more connected individuals who can use digital technologies and alternative financial circuits. Cryptocurrencies, payment platforms, and informal money transfer mechanisms can complicate the work of investigators, while social media is now used to organize part of the trade.
Key points
- The Indian Ocean has become a significant challenge for Mauritius and La Réunion in their fight against drug trafficking.
- Traffickers have become increasingly sophisticated, using rapid and difficult-to-trace communication methods and fragmenting operations.
- The regionalization of drug trafficking has become a critical factor, with the islands serving as markets, transit points, and sometimes logistical bases.
