22 monks arrested with narcotics at BIA remanded

The group of 22 Buddhist monks recently arrested over the smuggling of “Kush” cannabis and “Hashish” from Thailand have been remanded until May 12 by the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.

The suspects were taken into custody at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on April 25 after arriving from Thailand with 112 kilograms of “Kush” cannabis and “Hashish,” valued at over Rs. 110 million, concealed in their luggage.

The 22 monks were detained for seven days by the PNB on detention orders and were produced before the court today following the completion of preliminary investigations.

Investigations later revealed that another Buddhist monk, identified as Amithananda Thero, had allegedly orchestrated the illegal smuggling attempt, officials said.

Accordingly, the monk in question was also subsequently arrested while hiding at a temple in the Gampaha area, and the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) said the suspect is scheduled to be produced before the court tomorrow (03).

Police have also uncovered information suggesting that narcotics had been brought into the country on a previous occasion, also under the direction of the same suspect.

In connection with the probe, another individual accused of aiding and abetting the smuggling operation had been arrested in the Athurugiriya area.