Troops of 192 Battalion Nigerian Army operating in 81 Division Area of Responsibility have again on Tuesday, 18 July, 2023 intercepted a suspected international drug syndicate smuggling a truck-load of substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Marijuana) en route Sango Otta in Ogun State.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, reported that the intercepted truck lacked a registration number and was loaded with 397 wraps of the suspected marijuana.
Preliminary investigations disclosed that the illegal substance had been transported from Ghana through Benin Republic via Igholo-Idiroko en route to Sango Otta.
He said the two suspects responsible for conveying the illegal drugs were identified as Mr. Matthew Edegbe, a Benin Republic national, and Mr. Joshua Dansu of Idiroko. Both individuals are currently cooperating with ongoing investigations.
Nwachukwu said during the operation, various items were recovered from the suspects, including an Infinix and Itel phone, an iPhone, a Benin Republic National Identification card, a driver’s license belonging to one George Benyagbe, and the sum of Seven Thousand Naira (N7000) in cash.
Additionally, the truck’s registration number, identified as (T 1826 LA Lagos), was concealed within the vehicle to avoid detection.
He said following the interception, the suspects, the vehicle, and all exhibits were taken into custody pending handover to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Lagos State Command.
Nwachukwu added that this accomplishment came just a few days after the same Battalion had intercepted a truck carrying over 20,000 cartridges of ammunition bound for Anambra state on Saturday, July 15, 2023.
Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, praised the troops for their dedication and vigilance in executing these successful operations.
He urged them to maintain their momentum in the fight against criminal activities to make the country safer for all.
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