Sri Lankan authorities say 22 Buddhist monks have been arrested for possessing more than 110 kilograms of cannabis (illegal in the South Asian country) at the capital Colombo’s international airport, making it the largest drug bust ever at the terminal.
Authorities said the men, who were returning from Thailand, were each found with suitcases containing more than 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of marijuana at Bandaranaike International Airport, according to the state-run Daily News.
Police said the operation was carried out based on a tip-off.
They claim the drugs were hidden inside the luggage using specially modified fake bottoms.
The estimated value of the drugs is more than $3.45 million (Rs. 1.1 billion), according to the government’s official news portal.
The UK Foreign Office says Sri Lanka has stiff penalties for drug offenses and technology has been installed at airports to detect illegal goods. If arrested for a drug offense, a person can be detained indefinitely and, if convicted, face a lengthy prison sentence.
According to the state-run Daily News newspaper, this is the first time a Buddhist monk has been arrested at an airport for possession of illegal drugs.
The group, made up of young people from various parts of Sri Lanka, traveled to Thailand on April 22 using tickets provided by sponsors, the Daily News reported, citing police investigators.
The Sri Lanka Police Narcotics Bureau is investigating whether the smuggling activities are linked to local drug distribution networks.
The monks will appear in the Negombo Magistrate’s Court for further legal proceedings and investigation, state media said.
