Twenty-three Buddhist monks arrested over a narcotics smuggling case at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have been further remanded until June 9.

The order was issued today (26) by Negombo Magistrate’s Court Magistrate Subhani Abeysekera.

The suspects were arrested on April 25 after arriving from Thailand with 112kg of “Kush” cannabis and “Hashish,” valued at over Rs. 110mn.

Police said the smuggling operation was allegedly organised by Amithananda Thero, who was later arrested in Gampaha.

Investigations by the Police Narcotics Bureau are ongoing.