British woman remains in custody over alleged £1.2m cannabis smuggling

A British woman accused of attempting to smuggle synthetic cannabis, or “kush,” worth £1.2 million into Sri Lanka, remains in custody at Negombo prison.

Prisons spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe confirmed that Charlotte May Lee, 21, is still on remand as her case continues before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court.

Lee, a former cabin attendant from South London who has been working as a beautician, was arrested on May 12 at Bandaranaike International Airport after arriving on a flight from Bangkok. Authorities allege she was carrying 46kg of cannabis in two suitcases.

If convicted, Lee faces up to 25 years in prison. Reports indicate she had been holidaying in Thailand and travelled to Sri Lanka as her 30-day visa was about to expire, intending to return to Thailand once her visa was renewed. She left England for Thailand in late April. 

A bail application has reportedly been filed, but the process could take several months. The case has attracted widespread media attention and has been compared to the case of Bella Culley, another British woman arrested on drug charges in Georgia around the same time.