In a shocking turn of events, 22 Buddhist monks were detained at Sri Lanka’s international airport on Saturday, accused of attempting to smuggle an unprecedented 242 pounds of marijuana. Authorities estimate the haul to be valued at approximately $3.4 million.
The group, predominantly composed of trainee monks, allegedly concealed “five kilos of the narcotic” each within “false walls” of their luggage, as reported by a spokesperson for Sri Lanka Customs.
Officials confiscated the entire stash, which consisted of a highly potent variety of marijuana known as kush. The rest of their bags contained school supplies and candy, according to the BBC.
The monks were reportedly returning from a four-day visit to Thailand, with the trip funded by an unnamed benefactor, investigators revealed.
Additionally, a 23rd monk, suspected of orchestrating the trip, was apprehended later in Sri Lanka, as noted by the BBC. Authorities report that he had instructed the students to deliver the drug-laden packages as “a donation” upon their return to the country.
A 23rd monk who is believed to have organized the trip was later arrested in Sri Lanka, the BBC reported. The man told the students that the drug-filled packages were “a donation” that they would hand over when they landed back in Sri Lanka, cops said.
Customs officials said that the seizure was the largest single detection of kush in the airport’s history.
Police estimated that the entire potluck would sell for £2.5 million, or around $3.4 million, on the streets.
Senior Buddhist clergy issued a joint statement labeling the accused as “imposter monks” using their religious garb to disguise their criminal activity, local outlets reported.
Police, though, said that many of the alleged smugglers hailed from various Buddhist temples and educational institutions across Sri Lanka.
The 22 monks were remanded in custody for seven days for further questioning after their first court appearance on Sunday.
While authorities did note that they’ve rarely, if ever, had run-ins with smuggling monks, it isn’t the first time the devout have defied their calling.
In 2022, every single monk at a Buddhist temple in Thailand was defrocked and shipped off to rehab after they tested positive for methamphetamine.
In 2017, one Buddhist monk was arrested in Myanmar when authorities uncovered 4 million meth pills in his car and his monastery.
