British Woman Caught with £1.2m Worth of Drugs in Sri Lanka
A former TUI air hostess, Charlotte May Lee, has been arrested in Sri Lanka for allegedly smuggling 46kgs of synthetic drug kush, valued at £1.2m, into the country.
According to reports, the 21-year-old from Chipstead, Surrey, was caught with two suitcases stuffed full of the drug, which is 25 times stronger than the synthetic opioid fentanyl, as she stepped off a flight from Thailand.
The Daily Star reports that Lee, who is also a part-time beautician, is now facing decades behind bars in a grim cramped Sri Lankan jail cell, where she is sharing a cell with around 20 other women.
"It’s hardly room to lie down," a source close to the case told The Sun. "She’s been told if convicted, because of the size of the drugs haul, she’s looking at between 20 and 25 years in jail. British Embassy staff warned her she’s going nowhere soon."
Lee’s family and friends have expressed concern for her well-being, with a family friend telling The Sun that she is "very scared" and that her family are "frantically worried."
The Daily Star understands that Lee had jetted off to Thailand weeks ago, where she allegedly met a man after recently going through a tough break-up.
Her case bears a striking resemblance to that of fellow Brit, Bella May Culley, who is also facing jail time for allegedly smuggling drugs from Thailand into Georgia.
Culley, 18, from Billingham County Durham, was detained at Tbilisi Airport for allegedly smuggling 14kgs of cannabis into the former Soviet Union.
The teenager had gone missing while on holiday in Thailand, triggering an international manhunt before she was found in Georgia, where she is currently languishing in prison.
According to The Sun, Lee’s family said she may have picked up the drugs haul from Thailand, and that she had vaguely mentioned meeting a man while out there.
The Daily Star reports that Lee’s ordeal began when she was arrested after hopping off a plane to Sri Lanka from Thailand on Monday, accused of wheeling 46kgs of the drugs.
The synthetic drug kush has wreaked havoc across Africa, and Lee’s actions have sparked concern among authorities and the public.
The British Embassy has been involved in Lee’s case, with staff warning her of the severity of her situation.
Lee’s case highlights the risks and consequences of drug smuggling, and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and communities.
As Lee faces a long stint behind bars, her family and friends are left to worry about her well-being and the uncertainty of her future.
This shocking case serves as a reminder of the dangers of drug smuggling and the importance of making informed decisions.
The Daily Star will continue to provide updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.
The incident was first reported by The Daily Star, and this article is based on their reporting.
Source: The Daily Star
