With regard to part (a) of the question, Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that from January 2025 to 23 October 2025, 974 suspects have been arrested in connection with synthetic drugs as follows – • 446 adults for consumption. Of these, 232 were provisionally charged, 119 opted for rehabilitation through the Drug Users Administrative Panel under the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and 95 had no provisional charge lodged; • 22 adults for drug trafficking, all were provisionally charged; • 497 adults for drug dealing and all were provisionally charged, and • 9 minors for drug dealing and none were provisionally charged. Madam Speaker, as regards part (a)(ii) of the question, I am tabling the quantities of synthetic drugs seized. Regarding part (b) of the question, I am informed that the Police has strengthened enforcement, cooperation and preventive actions to combat drugs, including synthetic drugs. Measures include enhanced intelligence gathering and profiling of suspects, drug mapping to detect hotspots, aggressive crackdowns in drug-prone areas with the support of specialised

31 units, use of drones for surveillance and detection of illicit plantations, reinforcement of ADSU’s resources, and daily patrols in high-risk areas. Moreover, with a view to disrupting drug and other criminal network, ADSU is collaborating closely with other law enforcement and regulatory bodies, including the MRA- Customs Anti-Narcotics Section, the Financial Crimes Commission, the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Financial Intelligence Unit. ADSU has strengthened regional partnerships with Reunion Island, India, Seychelles, Mozambique, Madagascar, Kenya, South Africa and Tanzania through intelligence gathering, sharing of the intelligence, tracking of suspects, controlled deliveries and exchange of best practices, which have helped curb the movement of synthetic drugs through maritime and air routes. At the international level, ADSU collaborates with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), Interpol and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) for intelligence-sharing, capacity-building, cross-border investigations and financial tracing, thereby strengthening national efforts to combat transnational drug trafficking networks. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (c) of the question, I am informed by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Agency for Drug Control (NADC) that, in line with its mandate to support evidence-based policy decisions, the fourth meeting of the Drug Control Board considered the current national and international policy approaches on the regulation of cannabis. The discussion examined three technical models, namely – (i) decriminalisation, whereby use/possession remains illegal but sanctions shift from criminal penalties to administrative penalties with no criminal record for the offender; (ii) depenalisation, whereby cannabis use and possession remains a criminal offence with reduced criminal sanctions, and (iii) regulated legalisation, whereby use/possession becomes legal under appropriate regulations. Following deliberations, the Board agreed unanimously that a deeper, context-specific technical assessment is necessary for Mauritius. To this end, a Technical Committee will be set up to conduct a comprehensive review and submit a report covering, inter alia –  the projected economic impact of each model;

32  the resource implications for the scaling-up of prevention, treatment and harm- reduction services that must accompany any such reforms;  the recommended policy option for consideration by NADC, based on technical feasibility, public health outcomes and social equity parameters, and  the specific legal drafting required for the implementation of the selected model under the Mauritian legal framework. The Technical Committee will be chaired by the CEO of the Agency and will comprise experts in public health, the criminal justice system, fiscal policy, neuroscience, addiction medicine, harm reduction as well as representatives of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The Board expects to receive the findings of the Committee within the next quarter to guide the next phase of their action. The issue, Madam Speaker, remains complex and will require careful and thorough examination from all relevant perspectives. We are treading very cautiously to ensure that any decision taken is evidence-based and will, under no circumstances, impact negatively on our public health, our youth, and our national values.

Yes, hon. Third Member for Port Louis North and Montagne Longue, hon. Caserne! PREROGATIVE OF MERCY COMMISSION – COMPOSITION OF BOARD