Sri Lanka Arrests 22 Buddhist Monks With 110 kg Cannabis worth $3.45 Mn at Airport

Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities have arrested 22 Buddhist monks at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport after allegedly finding more than 110 kilograms of cannabis in their luggage, in what officials described as the largest drug seizure ever at the terminal.

According to state-owned media, the monks had arrived from Thailand when customs and police officers intercepted them following a tip-off. Each suspect was reportedly carrying suitcases containing more than five kilograms of cannabis.

Investigators said the narcotics were allegedly hidden inside luggage with specially modified false bottoms. Authorities estimated the street value of the seized drugs at more than 1.1 billion Sri Lankan rupees (US$3.45 million). Police said this was the first known case of Buddhist monks being arrested at the airport on drug-smuggling charges.

The group, reportedly made up of young men from different parts of Sri Lanka, had travelled to Thailand on April 22 using tickets allegedly provided by a sponsor.

Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau is now investigating whether the case is linked to wider domestic drug trafficking networks. The suspects are expected to appear before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court as investigations continue. Sri Lanka has strict anti-drug laws, with severe penalties including lengthy prison terms for trafficking offenses.