Twenty-two Buddhist monks have been detained at Sri Lanka's Bandaranaike International Airport following the discovery of 110 kilograms of narcotics hidden in their luggage. The drugs, including kush and hashish, are valued at more than £2.5 million.
Details of the Seizure
The narcotics were concealed in specially prepared suitcases with false bottoms, packed alongside school supplies and sweets. The group had arrived on a flight from Bangkok, Thailand. This incident marks the largest drug bust in the airport's history and the first large-scale case involving individuals dressed in monastic robes.
Legal Proceedings
The monks have been remanded in custody until 2 May as investigations continue. Authorities are probing the origin of the drugs, the financing behind the operation, and potential links to wider trafficking networks. Previous major narcotics seizures have been connected to routes from Bangkok.
Religious Condemnation
Senior Buddhist clergy have condemned the accused, labelling them as “impostor monks” who exploited religious dress for criminal activities. They have called for a full investigation and stricter oversight to prevent such abuses in the future.
The case has shocked the nation, with many expressing outrage that individuals in monastic robes would be involved in drug trafficking. The police are continuing their inquiries to dismantle any associated trafficking networks.
