22 Buddhist Monks Caught With 240 Pounds of Cannabis at Sri Lanka Airport

Cannabis bags. Credit: Steffen Geyer / Flickr / CC BY-NC 2.0

Authorities successful Sri Lanka person detained 22 Buddhist monks aft customs officers discovered astir 240 pounds (110 kilograms) of high-grade cannabis hidden successful their luggage astatine Bandaranaike International Airport. Officials said the haul is the largest cannabis seizure ever recorded astatine the country’s main planetary gateway.

Drugs hidden successful modified luggage

Customs officers stopped the radical during regular checks aft they arrived from Bangkok. Investigators said the monks, galore of them inferior trainees from temples crossed Sri Lanka, each carried astir 11 pounds (5 kilograms) of cannabis concealed successful suitcases fitted with mendacious compartments.

A spokesperson for Sri Lanka Customs said officers grew suspicious during screening and conducted further inspections. Those checks led to the find of the hidden drugs.

Trip details and ongoing investigation

The radical had spent 4 days successful Bangkok earlier returning to Colombo, authorities said. The cannabis, commonly known arsenic “kush,” is considered a potent and high-value strain. Investigators are moving to find whether the cognition was organized and whether the monks were alert of what they were carrying.

Video clips circulating connected societal media look to amusement immoderate monks covering their faces with their robes portion being escorted by officials. Authorities person not verified the footage but confirmed that each suspects stay successful custody.

Court quality and worth of the haul

Police said the monks were handed implicit by customs officers and brought earlier a magistrate connected Sunday. Legal proceedings are expected to proceed arsenic the probe develops.

22 Buddhist monks were detained earlier contiguous for smuggling 243 lbs (110 kg) of weed done a Sri Lankan airdrome pic.twitter.com/2NacgLB3Hd

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Officials estimated the worth of the seized drugs astatine astir $3.4 cardinal (1.1 cardinal Sri Lankan rupees). The standard of the lawsuit has raised concern, peculiarly owed to the engagement of spiritual figures.

Reports of a sponsored trip

The Daily News reported that the travel whitethorn person been sponsored. It besides said mobile telephone information showed the radical wearing laic covering during their stay, alternatively than accepted robes. Authorities person not independently confirmed these details.

Alleged organizer arrested separately

Police said a 23rd monk was arrested successful a suburb of Colombo. Investigators judge helium whitethorn person organized the travel but did not question with the group. According to a constabulary spokesperson speaking to BBC World Service’s Sinhalese service, the fishy allegedly told the monks the parcels were donations and that a conveyance would cod them upon arrival.

Investigation continues into imaginable network

Investigators said efforts are ongoing to hint the root of the cannabis and place immoderate links to planetary trafficking networks. Authorities said the lawsuit volition proceed nether modular ineligible procedures, careless of the suspects’ spiritual status.