Sri Lankan authorities say they have arrested 22 Buddhist priests for possessing more than 110 kilograms of cannabis, which is illegal in the South Asian country. They were arrested at the international airport in the capital, Colombo, in the biggest seizure ever at that terminal, it said CNN.
Authorities said the men, who were returning from Thailand, had suitcases, each containing more than five kilograms of cannabis, at Bandaranaike International Airport. The police said that the operation was carried out based on a tip.
The drugs were hidden in the luggage in a specially made false bottom, and the estimated value of the seized cannabis is more than 3.45 million dollars.
Sri Lanka has severe penalties for drug smuggling and airports have technology to detect illegal substances. Drug arrests can result in indefinite detention without charge and lengthy sentences behind bars.
The group, which consisted of young men from different parts of Sri Lanka, traveled to Thailand on April 22, with tickets provided by a sponsor.
Sri Lankan police are investigating whether it is drug smuggling linked to local drug networks.
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