{"id":4919,"date":"2020-11-18T10:03:34","date_gmt":"2020-11-18T10:03:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goc2020.govmu.org\/policenew\/?page_id=4919"},"modified":"2021-07-05T11:21:29","modified_gmt":"2021-07-05T07:21:29","slug":"anti-drug-and-smuggling-unit","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/police.govmu.org\/police\/?page_id=4919","title":{"rendered":"Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Introduction<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Law is one of the major elements in the fight against the illicit drugs. The other elements being education of the population, detoxification and arrest of drug offenders.\u00a0\u00a0The Anti Drug and Smuggling Unit, known as ADSU is responsible for the legal repression of drugs proliferation, throughout the country and the Outer Islands<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The aim of the Unit is to curb the drug scourge and keep it at bay so that the future generations live in a better environment. It operates on a partnership basis in extending cooperation and working closely with all concerned by this phenomenon. It depends a lot on contributions and support from the public at large.<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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History<\/h3>

Mauritius is a volcanic island of an area of 1800 square kms, situated in the Indian Ocean to the South East of the African Continent, with an approximate population of 1.2 million. It has gone through different periods of colonization, mainly by the Europeans till 1968, when it became independent and finally, a Republic in 1992. During the colonial settlement, slaves were brought in from the African continent and indentured labour from Asia that is why, till date, the country has a cosmopolitan population, originating from Europe, Africa and Asia.<\/p>

The different ethnic groups brought along their ways of living and cultures \u2013 one among these was the consumption of cannabis (locally known as gandia) and opium. Cannabis was illicitly cultivated whereas opium was smuggled and consumption was confined to certain specific community. The drug problem however, was not alarming because the standard of living was low, the population was small in number and communication was difficult.<\/p>

The economy was mainly based on sugarcane production and some other agricultural products. The passage of time witnessed an increase in population and improvement of the economy, whilst communication with the outer world likewise expanded, be it by air or by sea. Internally, the road network was improved and extended to cover the whole island. At this time, the only drugs i.e cannabis and opium touched a very limited sections of the population and the ill-effects were largely unknown.<\/p>

In the 80\u2019s an aggressive and determined economic policy emphasizing on Free Market, opening of Freeport and Financial Services led the country to a more prosperous situation. Concurrently, the Tourist Industry went through several changes by the construction of high class hotels, which brought in substantial increase of visitors i.e. nearly half of the then local population. Consequently, the standard of living got better, permitting the population to spend lavishly.<\/p>

These conditions set the scene for the entry of the drug traffickers to spread their criminal tentacles and exploit the situation to their benefits and hence, the introduction of \u201cBrown Sugar\u201d, a derivative of opium together with all its devastating effects, be it on the individuals, on the family, on the society or the economy. In no time, the traffickers were amassing huge profits from the illicit trade, taking advantage of loopholes in the law and the fact that everybody was taken offguard. On the other hand, lots of youngsters got hooked and became addicted to this highly physical dependence drug.<\/p>

With the situation becoming so alarming and disturbing that the public in general, religious and social organisation, helped by the Media, pulled the alarm bell, compelling the Government to take immediate actions to counter the scourge. A Commission of Enquiry was set up to look into the ramifications of the illicit drugs trade and to make the necessary recommendations.<\/p>

In the wake of this enquiry the existing relevant law was repealed and replaced by the D.D.A 32\/86. The Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit was restructured in terms of administration. man power and equipments. In 1995, a further restructuring was undertaken due to the prevailing trend.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Results<\/h2>

From its creation to date, the Unit has been in the forefront and has successfully brought to book the known traffickers who have been sentenced for long prison terms, whilst the consumers were likewise arrested and given the relative punishment. According to actual records, 9638 offenders have been arrested for drug offences among whom 844 have been declared traffickers by the Courts<\/em><\/p>

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The responsibilities of the ADSU are :-<\/p>