Millions in Transactions Uncovered in Thai Drug Smuggling Case

COLOMBO (News 1st); A suspect arrested over alleged links to a group of monks apprehended for smuggling narcotics from Thailand has been remanded until May 26 by the Negombo Additional Magistrate’s Court.

The suspect, identified as Mahmoud Mohammed, was produced before Additional Magistrate Shubani Abeysekara after being detained and questioned by authorities.

The case originates from the arrest of 22 monks at Bandaranaike International Airport on April 25, upon their return from Thailand, when 112 kilograms of “Kush” and “Hash” narcotics were discovered in their luggage.

Investigations revealed that the operation had been orchestrated by a monk identified as Amithananda. He was subsequently arrested while hiding at a temple in the Migahawatta area of Gampaha.

Police further stated that Mahmoud Mohammed was taken into custody in Colombo on May 8. He is alleged to have assisted the group and supported previous attempts to smuggle narcotics into the country.

The suspect was initially produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on May 9, where he was ordered to be detained for questioning until the following day.

Upon completion of the detention order, he was re-produced in court.

Police informed court that investigations revealed the suspect had provided financial support for the overseas travel of the monks, making multiple transactions at different times.

According to investigators, bank transfers ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 had been made on several occasions, while further inquiries uncovered the circulation of funds amounting to several millions.

Meanwhile, the monk identified as Agunakolaye Amithananda, the 22 monks arrested with narcotics, and another suspect named Chandrakumara have also been remanded until May 26.