Four Mauritian nationals, suspected of drug trafficking, are currently being held at the Tsiafahy high-security prison after attempting to enter Madagascar illegally. They are now the subject of an extradition request.
The individuals, identified as David Kingsley Chicot (35), Ismaël Benjamin Yoël (29), Jean David Legentil (30), and Brian Bowanee (30), are currently incarcerated at the Tsiafahy facility. According to the Judicial Police Directorate (DPJ) of the Gendarmerie, the Mauritian police have arrived in Antananarivo and submitted an official extradition request, which is currently pending a decision from Malagasy authorities based on mutual legal assistance agreements.
On the night of July 19, the suspects attempted to enter Madagascar clandestinely via the coast of Maharavo, in the commune of Ambohitralanana, Antalaha district. Their unregistered speedboat, allegedly stolen, struck a reef and sank. Although they initially claimed to be tourists from Reunion Island, they lacked documentation to support their claims. Interpol later confirmed their true identities.
A Mauritian anti-drug unit spent two weeks in Madagascar interrogating the suspects regarding the financing of their expedition and their criminal network. Notably, Legentil and Yoël were already facing charges in Mauritius for a cannabis trafficking case valued at nearly 375 billion ariary and were out on bail, while Bowanee was a wanted fugitive. The investigation continues as authorities work to reconstruct the vessel’s journey and identify all involved parties.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-04 06:08:58 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/trafic-de-drogue-quatre-mauriciens.html