A four-year-old South African boy who was travelling with his mother when she was arrested for alleged drug possession in Mauritius last month has returned to South Africa.

This is according to Patricia Gerber‚ who heads advocacy organisation Locked Up in a Foreign Country. She shared the news on the organisation’s Facebook page on Tuesday.

Gerber said the department of international relations and co-operation (Dirco), the department of social development and SAA had returned the child to SA.

“He is now with his grandmother and family,” she said.

Dirco has been approached for comment. This article will be updated when its response is received.

The child’s mother was arrested at an airport in Mauritius on September 15. She was reportedly found to have swallowed a stash of heroin. The woman was taken to hospital, where the drugs were retrieved. Her child was placed in the care of the Child Development Unit.