Madam Speaker, with your permission, I am answering to both B/1038 and B/1041 as they are connected.

40 With regard to the number of persons presently overstaying their visas, I am informed by the Passport and Immigration Office that as at 22 November 2025, around 9,800 persons are overstaying in Mauritius. I am further informed that Mr B.R.S. is a French national born on 19 October 1994 in French Guyana and holds a French passport. He came to Mauritius on 30 May 2025 from Reunion Island and it was his first visit to Mauritius. At the immigration counter, he informed that he would stay in the country for a period of six days at a guesthouse in Mahebourg for tourism purposes. Security checks and verifications carried out on the Interpol database on the same day revealed nothing adverse on Mr B.R.S. and the latter was allowed to enter Mauritius for 15 days. It is to be highlighted that French nationals do not require a visa prior to travelling to Mauritius. On 14 June 2025, date on which his visa expired, he neither left the country nor applied for an extension of his stay. Since that date, he was being looked for by the Tracing and Tracking Team of the Passport and Immigration Office. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, on 29 October 2025 at around 12:15 hrs, following information obtained by the Police, Mr B.R.S. and two other persons, namely Mr J.P.S.E. and Mr J.F.I.G., who were in a private car, were intercepted at Royal Road, La Source, Central Flacq by CID Eastern Division. They were found to be in possession of suspected drugs and other incriminating articles, including – (i) One rifle without any label nor any serial number; (ii) One black plastic wrapping containing a quantity of white powder suspected to be cocaine on the right-side jacket of Mr B.R.S.; (iii) One plastic parcel wrapping a quantity of white powder suspected to be cocaine in the car; (iv) One knife sharpener; (v) One – what they call a – “Rambo” knife from under the observer’s seat, and (vi) Two black hoodies and one pair of black and red gloves. All these items were secured by the Police and the three persons were arrested. Mr B.R.S. confessed his guilt.

41 I am also informed by the Commissioner of Police that on the same day, that is, 29 October 2025, at 13:40 hrs, a case of “Sequestration’’, which occurred on 25 October 2025 at around 23:00 hrs at L’Espérance Trébuchet, was reported against Mr B.R.S. at Piton Police Station. On 30 October, he was provisionally charged before District Court of Flacq for the offence of “Drug dealing to wit: Possession of Cocaine for the purpose of distribution and Conspiracy to commit sequestration’’. He was remanded to Police cell. Mr B.R.S. appeared before the District Court of Flacq on 06 November, 13 November, and 20 November 2025. The Police has objected to his release on bail and he has been remanded to Police cell until 27 November 2025 whereas the other two persons were released on bail on 20 November 2025. On 02 November 2025, the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL in Mauritius sought information from the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL in France on Mr B.R.S. Thereafter, on 04 November 2025, INTERPOL France issued a Red Notice against Mr B.R.S., who is wanted for – (i) Drug- related offences; (ii) Participation in a criminal conspiracy with a view to preparing an offence punishable by 10 years imprisonment, and also (iii) Money laundering. Madam Speaker, I am informed that investigation by the Police is ongoing regarding all the cases reported against Mr B.R.S. The enquiry will reveal whether there is any connection with the recent cocaine seizure on the MV Alpha Bravery. By virtue of the provisions of the Passport Regulations 1969, nationals of almost all countries are granted visa on arrival after having satisfied immigration requirements and security checks. This system has given rise to many, many persistent abuses as evidenced by the significant number of overstayers. My Government will take remedial actions to strengthen the border control system by amending the legal and regulatory frameworks where necessary to prevent the occurrence of such abuses.

Thank you. Hon. A. Duval!

My first question, Madam Speaker. Given that this person has remained nearly four months on the territory without a valid visa and that he was publishing videos on

42 social media, which, in fact, are being used to press charges against him – videos that tell about his violent and unlawful activities. It puts into question, raises issues on the role of the Field Intelligence Unit, which reports to the Prime Minister and the Commissioner of Police, and how for four months, such a violent individual convicted for murder and drug trafficking internationally has been allowed to come and do that in front of social media. So, that is the first question.

This is why I said we have to review all these things. You just said murder and all this, but when they checked on the Interpol List, it was not there. That is the problem! We have a deficient system, which we are going to look at and change because many countries in the world are now using a new system. It might cost a little money, but it is a new system where these individuals will not be able to come in.

Thank you, hon. Prime Minister. Yes, one more question!

Yes, my second question, Madam Speaker. Can the hon. Prime Minister clarify, given the exemption for visa requirements for people travelling from France, whether the same checks are done for the travellers coming from a French territory as would be the case for another traveller coming from a country where visa is required? Therefore, are the procedures for background checks the same as in the case of this Mr El Capo?

To my understanding, it is. Whether it is being or not, I do not know. But to my understanding, it is. It is the same check.

Hon. Babajee, do you have a question? No? Because your PQ was also answered by the hon. Prime Minister. Let me proceed now. B/1039, hon. Third Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière! MR A. C. & MR A. C. P. – REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS – ALLEGED SCAM