22 Monks Caught Smuggling $3.6M Worth of Cannabis
World
Colombo International Airport has become the scene of one of the most high-profile scandals in the modern history of the Buddhist community. Sri Lankan customs officials detained a group of 22 monks from Thailand after discovering 112 kilograms of "Kush" cannabis and hashish in their luggage, with an estimated street value of $3.6 million.
The drugs were meticulously vacuum-sealed in transparent bags and concealed within false bottoms of the suitcases. According to the investigation, each member of the group was carrying approximately five kilograms of controlled substances. The Negombo Magistrate's Court has already authorized the suspects' detention for further interrogation.
The investigation revealed a sophisticated recruitment scheme. It was discovered that the operation was coordinated by three monks from a temple in the Jamburaliya area, outside Colombo. The other 19 individuals, most of whom are under the age of 30, were recruited via Facebook. These young novices were offered free flights, accommodation, and meals, having been told they were transporting "educational materials and sweets" for local schoolchildren.
Despite the partial decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand in 2022, high-THC extracts and hashish remain strictly prohibited. Sri Lanka's drug trafficking laws are even more stringent. While the death penalty for such crimes in Thailand is practically replaced by life imprisonment, the detainees in Colombo face lengthy prison sentences. Authorities are currently investigating whether this trip was an isolated incident or part of an established international smuggling route.
The investigation revealed a sophisticated recruitment scheme. It was discovered that the operation was coordinated by three monks from a temple in the Jamburaliya area, outside Colombo. The other 19 individuals, most of whom are under the age of 30, were recruited via Facebook. These young novices were offered free flights, accommodation, and meals, having been told they were transporting "educational materials and sweets" for local schoolchildren.
Despite the partial decriminalization of cannabis in Thailand in 2022, high-THC extracts and hashish remain strictly prohibited. Sri Lanka's drug trafficking laws are even more stringent. While the death penalty for such crimes in Thailand is practically replaced by life imprisonment, the detainees in Colombo face lengthy prison sentences. Authorities are currently investigating whether this trip was an isolated incident or part of an established international smuggling route.
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