Drug Peddling: Army Arrest Transnational Drug Syndicate With 296 Wraps Of Illicit Substances

Troops of 192 Battalion, 81 Division, Nigerian Army has intercepted a suspected transnational drug syndicate with illicit substances suspected to be Cannabis Sativa.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Major Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, made this disclosure in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said the suspects were intercepted along Balogun border in Ogun while acting on credible intelligence that a Sienna 2001 Model Space Bus, with registration number, Lagos APP 129 EF, was loaded with the illicit substances.

According to him, the vigilant troops carried out a thorough search on the vehicle and detected layers of compartments packed with 296 wraps of substance suspected to be marijuana, stressing that preliminary investigation indicated that the wraps of illicit substance were transported from Benin Republic, through Ilara border communities en route Ifo, Ogun.

“It was further revealed that it took the transnational drug traffickers five months to conceal the substance for delivery to their clients.

“Two suspects were arrested in connection to the crime.

“The suspects, identified as one Mr Adigun Olatunji, 54 years and Mr Michael Atanda, 18 years, both from Ilara Imeko in Afun Local Government Area of Ogun, reside in Benin Republic.

“They have been taken into custody for further necessary actions after a failed attempt to bribe troops with the sum of N12 million,” he added.