(Thailand, 27th) — 22 monks returning to Sri Lanka from Bangkok, Thailand, were arrested on the 26th at Colombo International Airport after authorities discovered as much as 110 kilograms of the new, highly potent drug 'Kush' hidden in their luggage.
'Kush,' originating from the West African nation of Sierra Leone, is a powerful new synthetic drug mixed with toxic substances including marijuana, and sometimes even human bone. After consumption, users become dazed and zombie-like.
A spokesperson for Sri Lanka Customs stated that the monks spent four days vacationing in Bangkok and, upon returning to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport, were found to have drugs concealed in their luggage.
Each monk had about 5 kilograms of 'Kush' stashed in the lining of their suitcase. The monks have since been handed over to police and appeared in court later on the 26th.
It is understood that most of the monks involved in the drug smuggling are young novices from temples across Sri Lanka, and this trip was sponsored by a businessman. It remains unclear whether these monks were unknowingly used by others or acted with full knowledge.
A customs official said that last May, a British woman traveling from Bangkok to Colombo was also arrested at the same airport for allegedly smuggling drugs. She was found carrying 46 kilograms of 'Kush' at the time.