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Buddhist Monks Detained in Major Airport Drug Bust
28 Apr
Summary
- Twenty-two Buddhist monks were arrested with 110kg of high-grade cannabis.
- The cannabis was found concealed in false walls within their luggage.
- This seizure represents the largest ever drug bust at Colombo's main airport.
Twenty-two Buddhist monks have been detained by Sri Lankan police after customs officials uncovered a significant drug shipment at Bandaranaike International Airport. The monks, predominantly junior trainees from various temples, were found with approximately 110 kilograms of high-grade cannabis, also known as 'kush'.
Officials reported that the cannabis was hidden within specially constructed false walls in their luggage. The group had reportedly returned from a four-day trip to Bangkok, Thailand, when the discovery was made on Saturday. This seizure is noted as the largest single detection of cannabis at the airport, with an estimated value of 1.1 billion rupees (£2.5 million).
The arrested monks were presented before a magistrate on Sunday. Separately, a 23rd monk, who allegedly organized the trip but did not travel, was apprehended in a Colombo suburb. Police indicated this monk told others the parcels were a 'donation' and arranged for their collection.
