Mauritian authorities arrested three Malaysian nationals at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport on November 2, 2026, after intercepting 76.14 kilograms of suspected cannabis in their luggage.
The Mauritius Revenue Authority reported that the trio arrived on an Emirates flight from Dubai. Customs Anti-Narcotics Section officers stopped the passengers after reviewing their profiles and travel histories.
The passengers had completed their travel formalities on Emirates flight EK709 and were preparing to exit the terminal through the Green Channel before officials intervened. An inspection team from the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit, alongside customs officers, targeted the travelers following targeted surveillance.
A physical search of their checked baggage revealed vacuum-packed contraband. The Mauritius Revenue Authority stated: This led to the discovery of 70 black plastic bags that were vacuum-packed containing green leaves believed to be cannabis.
The seized narcotics carry an estimated street value of 114.21 million Mauritian rupees, which translates to approximately 9.87 million Malaysian ringgit, The Vibes reported.
The detained passengers include a 30-year-old man, a 22-year-old man, and an 18-year-old woman, according to Malaymail. Investigators determined that the 30-year-old suspect worked as a security guard in Singapore and began his journey in Thailand before connecting through Dubai, Lemauricien noted.
The 30-year-old male traveler, identified as Chua Teck Meng, resided in Jurong West, Singapore, and was found carrying approximately 10.9 kilograms of the substance across ten separate packages.
The two younger companions were identified as Benjamin Pang, aged 22, and Angelina Teoh Zhi Xuan, who celebrated her eighteenth birthday in August. Baggage inspections attributed roughly 32.5 kilograms of the narcotics to the 22-year-old male passenger and about 32.6 kilograms to the female passenger across their respective packages.
The two younger passengers originated from the Malaysian state of Penang, Defimedia reported. All three suspects appeared before the court in Mahébourg and face provisional charges of importing dangerous drugs.
Following the airport intercept, law enforcement officials handled subsequent inquiries through the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit while supervising teams probed potential local networks meant to receive the shipments. Authorities explored whether financial remuneration motivated the couriers to transport the illicit cargo.
The November airport seizure follows a sequence of comparable drug-smuggling attempts through the same aviation corridor. On October 23, law enforcement detained a 55-year-old Malaysian chef arriving from Dubai on an Emirates flight after uncovering 17.88 kilograms of cannabis in his luggage. Police attempted a controlled delivery operation utilizing dummy packages following that arrest, but canceled the sting the following day after nobody contacted the detained chef.
An earlier interception occurred in September, during which customs officers arrested a 76-year-old Malaysian traveler after discovering 6.18 kilograms of cannabis inside his baggage. Regional law enforcement agencies continue examining transit routes linking Southeast Asia and Middle Eastern aviation hubs to target the syndicates organizing the shipments.