Eight arrests in NDEA operations on La Digue |11 March 2014

One hundred and seventy four (174) searches have been carried out and eight arrests made, including one for trafficking, in the National Drugs Enforcement Agency (NDEA) operation on La Digue.

The operation involving the deployment of several additional personnel and equipment designed to control the supply of drugs on La Digue, which was undertaken on February 15, 2014, is now in its third week.

It is proving to be very effective in countering the activities of the dealers on the island. This presence has been augmented with a newly acquired twin engine boat patrolling the seas around La Digue. The NDEA boat is also proving to be a good deterrence against those trafficking drugs between the islands of La Digue, Praslin and Mahé.

The most recent trafficking case occurred late into the night of March 7, 2014 when agents raided a house in La Passe and arrested a 32-year-old unemployed mother of one child after they found what they believe to be heroin concealed in the house.  The substances were packed into some 33 packets ready for the market, which are believed to retail at R300 each, making the consignment valued at R9,900.

This person has been arrested and is currently awaiting her appearance before the courts.

Meanwhile, a community task forum was launched on La Digue by the NDEA in conjunction with the search and arrest operation. Two meetings have already been held, one with community representatives and the second, a public meeting, was held in the community hall and was attended by some forty residents.

The NDEA made a presentation to those present outlining the concepts of the forum, and also included helpful aspects on crime prevention, property marking, public safety and teenage bullying.

These meetings are set to continue on a monthly basis and it is anticipated that members of the public will embrace the concept of the forum and work with law enforcement agencies for the good of the community.

In other developments, the NDEA operations during the month of February resulted in 58 heroin seizures being made in addition to 48 cannabis based drugs, making a total of 106 seizures during the month. These seizures resulted from an intensive drive against the drug dealers, during the course of which 907 searches were made on all three islands including searches of individuals, cars, houses, buildings and open areas.

This latest drive against the drug dealers is being carried out targeting all of the principal areas that are used by the dealers including so called ghettos. The NDEA is determined to continue with these operations for as long as the drug dealers continue with their illegal operations.