22 Sri Lankan monks were arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport after authorities discovered 242 pounds (110 kg) of potent cannabis in their luggage.
According to customs officials, the monks were on a four-day vacation in Bangkok, Thailand, when the drugs were discovered hidden inside false walls of their suitcases.
There was about 11 pounds (5 kg) of “Kush” with each monk.
Among the group, most of the monks were young students belonging to Sri Lankan temples. His trip was financed by an anonymous businessman.
Another monk was also part of the group but reportedly only organized the trip and did not travel with them. Therefore, he has not yet been arrested in Colombo.
Investigators found photographs and images from the monks’ phones, which showed that the monks had been having fun during the holiday, dressed casually and even smoking cigarettes. But as the BBC reported, police reported that there is a possibility that the monks did not know what was inside their luggage.
On Sunday, April 26, all suspects appeared in court and were remanded in custody for seven days.
What is a Kush?
Kush is a very potent and dangerous synthetic drug that is a pure/hybrid strain of Cannabis indica. The plant is native to the Hindu Kush mountain range and is considered toxic. Chemically, it is combined with nitacenes, tramadol and formaldehyde.
