A 21-year-old former British cabin crew member, Charlotte May Lee, was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, after allegedly attempting to smuggle 46 kilograms of high-grade cannabis, known as Kush, into the country. The estimated street value of the seized cannabis is approximately £1.15 million, or 460 million Sri Lankan rupees.
Lee, who hails from Coulsdon in south London, was detained on Monday after arriving from Bangkok, Thailand. Customs officers discovered the drugs packed in dozens of vacuum-sealed bundles within her luggage. This seizure marks the largest cannabis haul recorded at the airport, according to Sri Lankan officials.
Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau believes the cannabis was intended for high-end local buyers, indicating a planned distribution network within the country. Following her arrest, Lee reportedly sent messages via Snapchat, informing friends about her situation while in police custody.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed that it is providing consular support to Lee’s family. She remains in custody as authorities investigate the origins of the cannabis and any accomplices involved in the smuggling operation.
Lee’s background reveals that she previously worked for TUI as cabin crew and recently transitioned to a role as a lash technician. Friends expressed disbelief at her arrest, describing her as a hardworking individual with no apparent issues that would raise suspicions. Social media activity before her arrest shows her enjoying a birthday trip in Thailand, suggesting she may have been unaware of the drug trafficking implications of her actions.
This incident follows another case involving a British woman, Bella May Culley, 18, from County Durham, who was arrested in Georgia for allegedly smuggling 14 kilograms of cannabis from Thailand via the UAE. Culley now faces severe legal consequences under Georgian drug laws, including a potential life sentence. Her situation has raised alarms regarding the exploitation of young British women as drug mules in foreign countries.
In response to Lee’s arrest, a spokesperson for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stated, “We are supporting a British woman who has been arrested in Sri Lanka and are in contact with her family and the local authorities.” As investigations continue, the case highlights growing concerns over international drug trafficking and the vulnerabilities of young travelers.
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