Authorities in Sri Lanka have detained 22 Buddhist monks after customs officials discovered 110 kilograms of cannabis hidden in their luggage at the country’s main international airport, in what is being described as one of the largest drug seizures in recent years.

The incident took place at the international airport in the capital, Colombo, where customs officers inspected passengers arriving from Thailand.

During routine checks, officials reportedly found packages of cannabis concealed in specially modified compartments inside multiple suitcases. Authorities stated that each of the detained monks was carrying around five kilograms of the substance, bringing the total haul to approximately 110 kilograms.

Most of those detained are believed to be students in monastic training, according to local reports. Investigators are also examining the role of a separate monk suspected of organizing the trip, who was later arrested near Colombo.

The suspects were produced before a court, which ordered their detention to be extended for seven days to allow further questioning as investigations continue into possible links to organized drug trafficking networks.

Security officials have launched a wider probe into how such a large quantity of narcotics could be transported through international travel routes and whether additional actors were involved in the operation.

The case has drawn significant attention due to the unusual profile of the suspects and the scale of the seizure, prompting authorities to tighten scrutiny at border checkpoints. (ILKHA)