When 21-year-old Charlotte May Lee flew into Sri Lanka, she likely never imagined her trip would end behind bars in a grim prison, facing serious drug charges.
Instead of a holiday or a simple layover, Charlotte now finds herself trapped in Negombo Prison, accused of carrying a massive haul of cannabis worth over £1.2 million.
But she insists she’s innocent and that she was set up.
How Charlotte Got Caught and What She Says Happened
Charlotte, from Coulsdon in south London, was arrested at Bandaranaike Airport in Colombo after police found 46 kilograms of ‘Kush’ — a synthetic cannabis strain — packed in her suitcase.
A former cabin crew member, she had just arrived on a flight from Bangkok when authorities stopped her.
She says she had no clue about the drugs being hidden in her luggage.
“I had never seen those drugs before,” Charlotte told MailOnline from behind bars.
“I thought my bags were just filled with my clothes. I’d packed everything the night before because my flight was early.
I left my bags at the hotel while I went out for the night, and didn’t check them again in the morning. Someone must have planted it.”
She also claims to know who is responsible for framing her, but her ordeal is far from over.
Why Charlotte Was Traveling to Sri Lanka
Charlotte had been working temporarily on a ‘booze cruise’ in Thailand, but her 30-day visa was about to expire.
So, she decided to take a short trip to Sri Lanka, a country she’d never visited before, while she waited for her Thai visa to be renewed.
“I thought it would be nice to explore Sri Lanka since it was only a short flight away,” she said.
“The people who planted the drugs were supposed to meet me here, but now I’m stuck in jail instead.”
Life Behind Bars in Negombo Prison
After her arrest, Charlotte was held for a week at the Police Narcotics Bureau, where she says conditions were harsh — forced to sleep on a bed bug-infested sofa under constant guard.
Then, on Sunday, she was remanded in custody for 14 days at Negombo Magistrates Court and transferred to Negombo Prison, where she remains confined.
Charlotte describes life in the women’s ward as brutal.
She spends 22 hours a day in a crowded cell with no bed or blankets, sleeping on a cold concrete floor with only her jumper as a pillow.
The prison provides minimal facilities: a barely working ceiling fan, a malfunctioning TV, and a ‘shower’ that’s just a bucket of water.
“The food is so spicy I haven’t eaten for two days, and I’m not getting the medication I need for my ADHD,” she explained.
“They only give sleeping tablets that knock you out.
You’re stuck with a bunch of other women in a tiny alleyway, and you only get a couple of hours outside in the sun if you’re lucky.”
Despite the hardships, Charlotte tries to stay positive but admits it’s tough feeling like she has no human rights or freedom.
Limited Support and Communication
Charlotte says communication is almost non-existent.
She hasn’t been able to arrange video visits with her family or even write letters.
Thankfully, some fellow inmates who speak English have shared biscuits and small comforts, but overall, the environment is isolating.
“There are a few nice people here, but you can’t trust many, not even the lawyers,” she said.
“I came in with nothing, and I’m relying on others who have things to share.”
Court Appearance and Uncertain Future
Charlotte appeared in Negombo Magistrates Court, where she faces two serious charges: possession and importation of illegal drugs.
A legal insider told MailOnline she appeared lost and upset, crying and overwhelmed.
It’s unclear what will happen next. There are rumors she may be transferred to Welikada Prison in Colombo, the country’s largest and most notorious jail, infamous for overcrowding, violence, and horrific conditions.
The Scale of the Drug Seizure
Police say the seizure was the largest ever at the airport — 46 kilograms of Kush worth about £1.2 million, destined for high-end buyers in Sri Lanka.
Footage from the arrest shows police with the suitcases filled with vacuum-packed drug parcels, while a British woman’s voice can be heard in the background.
UK Government and Friends React
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is supporting Charlotte and in contact with her family and local officials.
Meanwhile, friends back in the UK are stunned by the allegations.
“She’s a hard worker, not a criminal,” a close friend said.
“We saw clips from the arrest and heard her voice — it really didn’t add up.”
Others expressed shock, saying Charlotte never showed any signs of involvement in drugs.
A Troubling Pattern of Young Brits Arrested Abroad
Charlotte’s case comes just days after another young British woman, Bella May Culley, was arrested in Georgia for a large cannabis haul after flying from Thailand.
Though both women flew out of Bangkok on the same day and were arrested within hours of each other, Charlotte says she does not know Bella.
A Life Changed in an Instant
Before all this, Charlotte was training to become an eyelash technician and had briefly worked as cabin crew.
Her social media paints a picture of a young woman enjoying life — nights out, travel adventures, and dreams of working abroad.
Now, she faces years in a foreign prison for something she insists she didn’t do, fighting to prove her innocence in one of the harshest legal systems.