22 Monks, 110kg Drugs, Rs.1.1B Value: Inside the Largest BIA Drug Bust - What We Know So Far

22 Monks, 110kg Drugs, Rs.1.1B Value: Inside the Largest BIA Drug Bust - What We Know So Far

⭕ Yesterday (April 26, 2026), Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 authorities arrested 22 robed suspects at BIA after intelligence information pointed to an alleged drug smuggling attempt.

⭕ Upon examination of the suspects, who were returning from Thailand 🇹🇭, authorities found 110–120kg of Kush and Hashish concealed in their baggage, valued at over Rs.1.1B.

⭕ Each suspect allegedly carried over 5 kg, hidden in false suitcase compartments with school supplies and food items.

⭕ The suspects, aged 19–28, were mostly young monk students from temples across Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 (including Ampara, Horana, Piliyandala, Homagama, Ambalangoda and Balangoda) who took a 4-day Thailand 🇹🇭 trip sponsored by a businessman.

⭕ Police later arrested a main suspect in Meegahawatta, Gampaha. He was also identified as a monk and allegedly helped arrange overseas travel.

⭕ lured with promises of free airfare, accommodation, and meals, suspects were reportedly told they would be transporting “educational materials and sweets” for schoolchildren.

⭕ Investigations also indicate that the group had carried out a similar operation involving 12 monks last month and was reportedly planning another trip in the near future.

⭕ According to reports, digital evidence from the mobile phones of suspects suggests that some travelled in lay attire while in Thailand 🇹🇭.

⭕ Investigators are now tracing who financed the trip, the source of the drugs, and whether a wider smuggling network was involved.

⭕ The Negombo Magistrate’s Court ordered the 22 suspects detained until May 2 for further questioning.

⭕ Buddhist leaders condemned the misuse of robes and called for action against impersonators and drug networks targeting young monks.

#SriLanka