Troops of the 192 Battalion of the Nigerian Army have intercepted a truckload of substances suspected to be Indian hemp in Ogun.

The consignment belonged to a suspected international drug smuggling syndicate.

Preliminary investigations showed that the illicit substances were transported from Ghana through the Benin Republic and Igholo-Idiroko to Sango Ota.

Army spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu stated on Wednesday that the truck was intercepted near Sango Ota on Tuesday.

He explained that the troops acted on a tipoff and conducted stop-and-search operations on Ajilete Road in Yewa South local council to intercept the truck.

Mr Nwachukwu added that the troops impounded the unmarked truck, loaded with 397 wraps of the substances on board. The army spokesman stated that a Beninese, Matthew Edegbe, and Joshua Dansu of Idiroko in Ogun were apprehended in connection with the seizure and were assisting in ongoing investigations.

“Items recovered from the suspects include the truck’s registration number plate (T 1826 LA Lagos), which was detached and concealed in the vehicle to prevent identification,” the army officer explained.

He added, “Also recovered were cell phones, a Benin Republic national identification card, a driver’s licence belonging to one George Benyagbe, and N7,000. The suspects, vehicle, and exhibits have been taken into custody, pending handing over to the NDLEA.”

(NAN)