A joint operation by officers from the Customs Anti Narcotics Section (CANS) and the Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit (Adsu) foiled an attempted drug importation at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. The intervention, carried out around 3:45 a.m. on April 23, led to the arrest of a Ugandan national suspected of trafficking cocaine in aggravating circumstances. The drugs seized are valued at Rs 3.5 million.
The suspect, identified as Irene Karungi (38 years old) and working as a hairdresser, lives in Kawempe Kiseera, Uganda. She was traveling on flight KQ 274 from Nairobi. During routine checks in Plaisance, his behavior aroused the suspicions of CANS officers, who carried out a Body Scan. This examination revealed internal anomalies, suggesting the presence of foreign bodies hidden in his body.
At 4:50 a.m., two cylindrical pellets containing a certain quantity of cocaine were recovered. Faced with these first incriminating elements, the AdDSU initiated a Controlled Delivery operation in order to get hold of the local contact of the mule and trace the chain.
Later, around 6:30 p.m., while she was in an inn located at Morcellement Boucan, in Grand-Baie, the suspect expelled 11 other similar pellets, still containing cocaine. The surveillance operation continued until 8:20 p.m., when it was interrupted because the Ugandan woman's state of health was worrying.
The suspect was then transferred to the Jawaharlal Nehru hospital in Rose-Belle, where she was admitted until April 30. During this period of medical observation, she expelled one last pellet, bringing the total to 14. The overall weight of the seized drug is estimated at 233 g, while the amount of the drug is approximately Rs 3.5 million.
The investigation was filed under charges of drug dealing with aggravating circumstances and importation of cocaine with an averment of trafficking. The suspect is currently being held in detention at the Pailles police station, on the orders of Police Superintendent Heyman Dass Ghoora. The investigation continues to determine the ramifications of this network of narcotics.
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