Twenty-two Buddhist monks have been detained in Sri Lanka after authorities allegedly uncovered 110kg (242lbs) of cannabis hidden in their luggage at an airport.
Customs officials said each of the monks was carrying about 5kg of a strong strain of cannabis known as Kush.
The drugs were reportedly concealed in “false walls” built into their suitcases when they landed in Colombo on Saturday.
The group, mostly made up of students, had returned from Thailand after what officials described as an all-expenses-paid four-day trip funded by an unidentified sponsor.
Police have since arrested a 23rd monk believed to have organised the travel arrangements.
According to authorities in a Colombo suburb, he did not travel with the group but allegedly instructed them that “these parcels are a donation” and that a van would arrive to pick them up.
Investigators from Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau also recovered images and videos from some of the monks’ mobile phones showing them on holiday in casual clothing, including scenes of them relaxing away from temple life.
Officials said the monks came from various temples across the country. Some images reportedly showed them smoking and socialising during the trip.
The 22 monks were produced in court on Sunday and remanded in custody for seven days as questioning continues.
Police told BBC Sinhala they suspect the monks may not have fully understood what was inside the luggage they were carrying.
The drugs were reportedly discovered hidden among items such as school supplies and sweets.
Authorities say this is the first known case in Sri Lanka involving a group of monks being arrested over allegations of drug smuggling at an airport.
