The Negombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the seven-day detention of Venerable Agunukolaye Amitananda Thero, the alleged main suspect behind the drug smuggling operation involving 22 monks arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), until May 2.
Additional Magistrate Subhani Abeysekera issued the order when the suspect monk was produced before court at around 4:00 pm on Monday. The Police Narcotics Bureau told court the suspect had been arrested under Section 54(1) of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance for aiding and abetting narcotics trafficking.
Investigators told court the suspect was apprehended on Sunday after going into hiding in the Miriswatta area following the airport arrests. A blood sample analysis by a Judicial Medical Officer confirmed the presence of narcotic substances in his bloodstream at the time of arrest.
Three mobile phones belonging to the suspect have been taken into custody. Investigators said a WhatsApp group used to coordinate the trafficking operation had been administered by the accused, who allegedly arranged the travel of the 22 monks to Thailand and managed communications related to the operation.
Counsel for the suspect informed court that no bail application would be filed at this stage. When questioned by the Magistrate whether he wished to make any statement, the monk replied that “this happened due to ignorance.”
The court also directed investigators to submit a detailed forensic analysis report of the seized phones at a future date.
The 22 monks arrested at BIA on Saturday night were carrying over 110 kilograms of Kush cannabis and hashish concealed in false suitcase compartments, valued at more than Rs. 1.1 billion. The Mahanayaka Theros of all three main Nikayas have issued a joint statement condemning the misuse of the saffron robe.
