Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that from January 2026 to 08 July 2026, 1,560 cases of drug-related offences have been reported by the Police. The total value of the drug seized during that period is estimated at around Rs1.3 billion. I am tabling the information regarding the types of drugs seized during that period. I can read it but it is a long list, Madam Speaker. It is probably better that I table it. With regard to part (b) of the question, as I have already stated in the House, the fight against drug trafficking is one of the major priorities of this Government. Several organisations are working together and are taking different measures to address this drug scourge. The Commissioner of Police has informed that the Police have increased patrols and crackdown operations conducted by different Units in drug-prone areas. For the month of June 2026, 90 patrols were carried out – just in one month. ADSU has been given more manpower and equipment to increase its operational capabilities. ADSU is also working in close collaboration with the Financial Crimes Commission to disrupt the drug criminal network. Madam Speaker, as an island State, Mauritius faces significant challenges in preventing the maritime trafficking of illicit drugs. To reinforce coastal surveillance and improve the detection of illegal maritime activities, a new Coastal Surveillance Radar System, financed by the Government of Japan, is being installed and is expected to be operational by December of this year. At the international level, ADSU collaborates with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the UK National Crime Agency, Interpol, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and other agencies for intelligence sharing, capacity-building and cross-border investigations to combat transnational drug trafficking networks. Mauritius, Madam Speaker, has also partnered with India, United Kingdom, France and the United States to enhance our capacity for maritime surveillance and security. I am informed, Madam Speaker, by the Director-General of the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) that the MRA is undertaking the following additional measures to stop the smuggling of illicit drugs at the port and at the airport – • First of all, they are purchasing one additional Fast Interceptor Boat. The House may recall, Madam Speaker, that in September 2024, Patrol Interceptor Boats of the MRA – I think seven of them, I cannot remember the exact figure – were deliberately rammed into during the MSM regime just to protect drug traffickers delivering drugs at the sea. That is the legacy of the MSM. Seven interceptors just rammed into and the person who did that was allowed to continue to work as if nothing happened. He was not taken to task because probably he was told to do that. • Secondly, posting of MRA Officers on high-risk vessels to check all persons entering and leaving the vessels; • Thirdly, procurement of a mobile Van Scanner which can be deployed all around the island; • Fourth, increased use of technological tools to enhance the detection of drugs, and • Fifth, the installation of one low bed palletised cargo x-ray scanner in the port which will be there by end of this year. Madam Speaker, in April, the National Drug Control Commission launched the National Drug Control Masterplan 2026-2030, wherein it stated that Government institutions, civil society organisations and the community at large will be mobilised in a cohesive and holistic set of actions to combat this scourge. Activities under rehabilitation and prevention have already been initiated in collaboration with – (i) the Ministry of Education and Human Resource to develop key school-based modules and policy measures on substance prevention; (ii) the Ministry of Labour and Industrial Relations and Business Mauritius are coordinating for targeting workplace prevention, and (iii) the Mauritius Prison Service to enhance the counselling skills of Prison Officers. Madam Speaker, the Government remains fully committed to adopting a comprehensive approach in the fight against drugs, combining robust law enforcement and border security measures with prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and social reintegration initiatives.

Yes, you are alright? Hon. Jhummun! TERRE ROUGE – MONEY SEIZURE (SUITCASES) – INQUIRY