In Sri Lanka, 22 monks were arrested with over 100 kg of cannabis in their luggage
Twenty-two monks have been detained in Sri Lanka after customs officials discovered 110 kg of cannabis in their luggage. The drugs were concealed in specially fitted compartments inside their suitcases, according to the BBC.
The incident occurred on Saturday after the monks arrived in the capital, Colombo. According to customs officials, each of the detainees was carrying around 5 kg of Kush cannabis.
The monks, most of whom are students, were returning from Thailand after a four-day trip, the costs of which were covered by an unnamed sponsor. It is reported that some of the participants were recruited for the trip via social media, with promises of free flights, accommodation and meals.
Following their arrest, the monks were taken to court, which ordered them to be remanded in custody for seven days pending further investigation.
According to law enforcement officials, the luggage contained school supplies and sweets alongside the drugs. Some of the participants may have been told that they were transporting these items.
The police also detained another monk, who is believed to be the organiser of the trip. He did not travel with the group. According to the investigation, he explained to the other monks that the packages were a ‘donation’ and were to be collected by a car.
Photos and videos from the trip were found on the mobile phones of some of those detained, showing them in casual clothing whilst on holiday.
The customs service stated that this was the largest seizure of Kush at the country’s airport. The value of the seized consignment is estimated at over 1.1 billion rupees, or around 3.5 million US dollars.
According to local media, the group may have been involved in a similar operation last month and was planning another trip.
Law enforcement officials note that this is one of the first instances of such a group of monks being detained on suspicion of drug smuggling via the airport.
