"Claimed as Donations"... 22 Monks Arrested After Returning with 110kg of Marijuana While Enjoying Vacation

110kg of Cannabis Found in Luggage of 22 Monks
Drugs Hidden Inside Bags Disguised with School Supplies and Candy

Twenty-two monks were arrested at an airport in Sri Lanka after attempting to smuggle marijuana. Authorities discovered a total of 110 kilograms of the drug in their luggage.

On April 28, 2026 (local time), the BBC reported that “twenty-two monks were arrested at a Sri Lankan airport after 110 kilograms of marijuana, hidden in their baggage, was detected.”

Monks arrested in Negombo, Sri Lanka, are seen moving to appear in court. Photo by AFP and Yonhap News Agency

According to local customs authorities, the monks were apprehended during baggage inspection upon arrival in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka. Each monk’s luggage was found to contain about five kilograms of high-potency marijuana known as ‘Kush’. The total street value is reported to be USD 3.4 million (about 5,015,340,000 won).

Investigations revealed that the bags were disguised with school supplies and candy, and the drugs were hidden in specially constructed compartments inside the luggage.

Most of the monks were trainees who had just returned from a four-day trip to Thailand, funded by an anonymous sponsor.

Monks moving to appear in court after being arrested in Negombo, Sri Lanka. Photo by AFP, Yonhap News Agency

Local police stated that they had additionally arrested another monk on the outskirts of Colombo, who is believed to have orchestrated the trip. This monk did not accompany the group and reportedly told the other monks, “These items are donations, and a vehicle will come to collect them.”

The Sri Lankan Police Narcotics Bureau also obtained photos and videos from the phones of some monks, showing them enjoying their holidays in plain clothes. The monks are affiliated with various temples across Sri Lanka.

The twenty-two arrested monks were detained for seven days for further investigation after appearing in court.

Police are also considering the possibility that the monks may not have been fully aware of the exact contents of the items they were transporting.

This is reportedly the first known case of monks being arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs through an airport in Sri Lanka.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.