(No. B/634) Mr T. Apollon (Second Member for Mahebourg & Plaine Magnien) asked the Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Home Affairs and External Communications, Minister of Finance, Minister for Rodrigues and Outer Islands whether, in regard to the arrest of a passenger on a charge of drug importation at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport on or about Monday 23 March 2026, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain from the Commissioner of Police, information as to where matters stand regarding the inquiry initiated thereinto, indicating whether the collaboration of the French Authorities has been or is being sought in connection therewith. The Ag. Prime Minister: Madam Speaker, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that Ms L.L.I.R., a French national, arrived in Mauritius on 23 March 2026 at 08.06 hours on board flight MK015 from France. After completion of immigration formalities, Ms L.L.I.R. collected a suitcase from the conveyor belt and proceeded through the green channel where she was asked to proceed to the Customs Examination Hall. The suitcase was scanned and she was allowed to leave the airport premises. Later, on the same day, an unclaimed suitcase tagged in the name of Ms L.L.I.R. was seized by Custom and ADSU officers at the airport. Following a search on the content of the unclaimed suitcase, 10.43 kg of cannabis and 6.05 kg of cannabis resin were found. On 24 March 2026, ADSU officers arrested Ms L.L.I.R. and lodged a provisional charge against her for the offences of Drug Dealing with aggravating circumstances, Importation of Cannabis and Importation of Hashish with an averment of trafficking. Ms L.L.I.R. has been remanded to police cell since 24 March 2026. Police have raised objection to her release on bail. Madam Speaker, in the course of this enquiry by ADSU, nine other persons, including two Police Constables, have been arrested. Police Constable N.P. posted at the ADSU airport and Police Constable A.H. posted at Mahebourg Police Station have been remanded to Police Cell since 24 March and 25 March 2026, respectively. Police have objected to their release on bail. The seven other persons arrested in this case have been charged with Drug Dealing for the importation of dangerous drugs. Three of the suspects have been remanded to jail and the remaining four suspects have been remanded to Police Cell. The Police sought and obtained intelligence report on Ms L.L.I.R. from INTERPOL France. Madam Speaker, since the inquiry is ongoing, it will not be appropriate for me to provide further information. Thank you.