Twenty-Two Monks Detained at Colombo Airport with 110kg Cannabis in Luggage

Twenty-two monks have been arrested at Colombo airport in Sri Lanka after customs officials found 110kg of cannabis hidden in their luggage. Each monk was carrying approximately 5kg of Kush, a potent form of the drug, within "false walls" of their bags upon arrival on Saturday.

The monks, primarily students, were returning from an all-expenses-paid four-day holiday in Thailand, funded by an undisclosed sponsor. A 23rd monk, believed to be the organiser of the trip, has since been apprehended in a Colombo suburb.

According to the acting police spokesman, the suspected organiser, who did not accompany the group, informed the other monks that "these parcels are a donation" and that a van would collect them. Police Narcotics Bureau investigations revealed photos and videos on the monks' mobile phones, showing them in casual attire during their trip.

The 22 monks, from various Sri Lankan temples, were remanded in custody for seven days following a court appearance on Sunday. Police sources indicated that the monks may have been unaware of the contents of their packages, which also contained school supplies and sweets. This marks the first reported instance of such a large group of monks being arrested for suspected drug smuggling via the airport.