23 Monks Back in Court Over Major Drug Smuggling Racket from Thailand

COLOMBO (News 1st); Twenty-three members of the clergy arrested in connection with the smuggling of kush and hash from Thailand into Sri Lanka were produced once again before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today (12).

The arrests relate to a major drug detection carried out at the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport on April 26, when officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau apprehended 22 robe-clad suspects (monks) attempting to smuggle more than 110 kilograms of kush and hash concealed inside their luggage after arriving from Thailand.

Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of another monk, identified as Angunakole Amithananda Thera, on charges of aiding and abetting the trafficking operation.

After being detained and questioned, all suspects were produced before the Negombo Additional Magistrate’s Court on the 2nd of May.

Presenting facts to court, Sub-Inspector Rajapaksa, who is conducting investigations into the case, stated that a layperson identified as Chandrakumara Dayarathna had also been arrested in connection with the smuggling network. He was produced before the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court, which granted a detention order until the 12th.

Accordingly, all suspects connected to the case were remanded until today as investigations into the international drug trafficking operation continue.