COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Authorities in Sri Lanka have arrested 22 Buddhist monks after customs officials discovered 110 kilograms of cannabis concealed in their luggage at the country’s main airport.
According to officials, each monk was found carrying about 5 kilograms of Kush — a potent strain of cannabis — hidden in specially constructed “false walls” within their suitcases upon arrival in Colombo on Saturday.
The group, largely made up of students from temples across the country, had reportedly been returning from a four-day, all-expenses-paid trip to Thailand sponsored by an unnamed individual when they were detained.
Police said a 23rd monk was later arrested in a suburb of Colombo. Authorities allege that he instructed the group that “these parcels are a donation” and told them a vehicle would collect the items upon arrival.
Investigators from the Police Narcotics Bureau recovered photos and videos from the monks’ mobile phones showing them enjoying their holiday in casual attire.
The 22 monks appeared in court on Sunday and were remanded in custody for seven days as investigations continue.
Police told BBC Sinhala they suspect some of the monks may not have been aware of the contents of the packages they were carrying. The drugs were reportedly concealed among school supplies and sweets.
Authorities say this is the first known case involving a group of monks being arrested on suspicion of smuggling drugs into Sri Lanka through the airport.
