India, April 28 -- At least 22 Buddhist monks were arrested at an airport in Sri Lanka after officials discovered 110 kg (242 lbs) of cannabis - illegal in the country - hidden in their luggage.

Customs officials told the BBC that each monk was found carrying around 5 kg of Kush, a particularly potent form of cannabis, concealed within "false walls" in their luggage when they arrived in the capital, Colombo, on Saturday.

The monks, most of whom were students, were reportedly returning from Thailand after an all-expenses-paid four-day holiday sponsored by an unnamed individual.

A 23rd monk, believed to have organised the trip, was later arrested in a suburb of Colombo, police told BBC Sinhala.

According to the acting police spokesman, ...