India denies army trucks for peacekeepers 'smuggled' drugs

The India Army on Friday refuted media reports that a consignment of trucks being shipped from Mumbai to Indian peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo was carrying drugs.

According to reports, the Kenyan authorities found drugs and weapons on a ship after they checked it following a tip-off.

"The Indian Army had handed over a consignment of 205 vehicles, including 36 APCs (BMPs), with inherent weapons to UN contracted Merchant Vessel (for end to end delivery) at Mumbai on September 11 with detailed list of weapons and equipment," said a statement from the army.

"Any further addition of weapons or any other material placed within the Indian Army vehicles is not responsibility of the Indian Army," it said.

"The issue has been taken up with UN Headquarter and Mission Headquarter at DRC and it is being progressed further by the UN."

Meanwhile, sources said a check was carried out by the Kenyan authorities following a tip-off, but refuted the report that drugs were found on the merchant vessel.

The sources said it was possible that the authorities objected to the inherent weapons on the BMPs, and the ship authorities may not have shown the documents.