BEIRUT: The Army said Friday it detained eight Syrians in east Lebanon and confiscated their truck, which contained large quantities of arms and B-7 shells.

As part of its mission to control the border and prevent the smuggling of arms and gunmen along the Lebanon-Syria border, the Army said it took action after “spotting a suspicious pick-up truck in the Baalbek-Bekaa region at 2 a.m.” The Army asked called on the truck to stop, but it defied the order.

The individuals on board the truck pointed their guns at the Army unit, but soldiers were able to surround the vehicle and force the armed men out of the bus.

“[The Army] detained those inside, who turned out to be eight Syrian individuals. Their truck, which was confiscated, contained large amounts of arms, light and medium weaponry, ammunition, hand grenades, B-7 rocket-propelled grenades, electric detonators and communications devices,” the statement said.

The detained men were referred to the appropriate judicial authority.