Authorities in Sri Lanka have arrested twenty-two monks at the airport after discovering approximately 110 kilograms of cannabis concealed in their luggage. Each monk was found to be carrying around 5 kilograms of the drug, which was hidden within false compartments in their suitcases.
The group, primarily composed of students, had recently returned from a four-day trip to Thailand, funded by an unidentified sponsor. A twenty-third monk, believed to be the organizer of the trip, was apprehended in a suburb of Colombo shortly after the initial arrests.
According to law enforcement officials, the organizer reportedly informed the other monks that the packages were a “donation” and that a van would arrive to collect them. The detained monks are currently being held in custody for seven days to facilitate further questioning. Police have indicated that it is possible the monks were unaware of the true nature of the items they were transporting.
Twenty-two monks have been arrested in Sri Lanka for allegedly smuggling cannabis, with authorities investigating the circumstances surrounding their trip. The monks, returning from Thailand, are being held for further questioning.
Source: BBC