Thai women held with cannabis in Sri Lanka

Three Thai women were arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka, after authorities said they found almost eight kilogrammes of cannabis and hashish concealed in their luggage.

Sri Lanka's Airport Police Narcotics Bureau announced the arrests on Sunday, September 20. The women had travelled from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG307, which landed at about 12.50am.

Drugs allegedly disguised as supplements

Police said the suspected drugs were sealed in airtight packaging made to resemble nutritional supplements, collagen products and bars of soap.

The arrests followed two separate operations at the airport. In the first, a 38-year-old Thai woman was allegedly carrying 3.22 kilogrammes of cannabis and 1.85 kilogrammes of hashish.

In the second, a 31-year-old Thai woman was allegedly found with 1.99 kilogrammes of Kush and 620 grammes of hashish. A third Thai woman, aged 36 and travelling on the same flight, was detained on suspicion of helping with cannabis trafficking.

Police said they seized a combined 5.21 kilogrammes of Kush and 2.47 kilogrammes of hashish. Sri Lankan media put the value at about 85 million Sri Lankan rupees, or more than 8.5 million baht.

Court appearance and wider investigation

The three women were due to appear before Negombo Magistrate's Court on the day of their arrests, although the hearing timetable and outcome were not made public.

Investigators are examining whether the two seizures were linked. They are also trying to identify those who allegedly recruited the women and the intended recipient of the drugs.

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23 September 2026