What started out as a dream getaway quickly turned into a nightmare for a young British woman.
Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old from Coulsdon in South London, has been arrested in Sri Lanka after authorities allegedly found a massive quantity of cannabis in her luggage.
Charlotte had just flown in from Bangkok when she was stopped at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo on Monday.
To the shock of many back home, Sri Lankan officials say they uncovered a whopping 46 kilograms of “kush” cannabis, worth around £1.15 million, tightly packed inside her suitcases.
Airport Arrest Sparks Major Drug Bust in Colombo
Photos from the scene show six airport officers inspecting her bags, which were reportedly filled with dozens of vacuum-sealed packs of the potent cannabis strain.
Authorities say this is the largest kush bust ever made at Colombo’s international airport.
Local sources claim the drugs were intended for wealthy local buyers.
Customs officials have since seized the stash, and the case has now been handed over to Sri Lanka’s Police Narcotics Bureau for further investigation.
British Foreign Office Steps In
The British Foreign Office has confirmed they’re supporting a UK national who has been arrested in Sri Lanka.
Officials are in contact with Charlotte’s family and working closely with local authorities to monitor her situation.
According to reports, Charlotte has managed to reach out to her friends from custody.
She apparently sent a brief Snapchat video from what appeared to be a police facility, letting them know she was okay.
Friends in Shock Over the Allegations
Back in Coulsdon, friends are stunned. One woman close to Charlotte described her as a “hard-working, nice girl” and said the news had completely blindsided her.
“There were no red flags,” the friend added. “I saw the clips of the arrest, and you could hear an English voice in the background that sounded just like Charlotte.”
Another friend noted that while Charlotte had worked for TUI as a flight attendant, it was only a summer job, and she had since been training as a lash technician.
From Travel Dreams to Trouble Abroad
Charlotte’s social media told the story of a young woman enjoying life.
Her Instagram was filled with photos of her in uniform, posing in airplane cockpits, partying with friends, and enjoying tropical getaways.
Friends say she traveled to Thailand in April to celebrate her 21st birthday with her sister, who lives in Australia.
She returned to the UK briefly in May before jetting off again—but this time, she didn’t tell anyone she was leaving.
A Sudden Return to Asia and a TikTok Clue
Just days before her arrest, Charlotte started posting again—selfies on white sand beaches, tropical backdrops, and even a TikTok video from a plane on the day she was detained. The location tag? Bangkok.
Her friends were confused. She had mentioned getting a job on a boat in Thailand but hadn’t said anything about going back so soon.
“She usually tells us when she’s going away,” one friend noted.
Another British Teen Also Facing Serious Drug Charges
Charlotte’s arrest comes shortly after another shocking case involving a young British woman abroad.
Bella May Culley, 18, from County Durham, was arrested in Tbilisi, Georgia, after allegedly arriving with 14 kilograms of cannabis in her bags.
She had been missing in Thailand before being detained thousands of miles away at Tbilisi Airport.
Now she faces a potential life sentence for drug trafficking charges.
Bella’s Family Fights for Access in Georgia
Bella, who claims to be pregnant, appeared in court in Georgia on May 13.
Her father and aunt rushed to the region to support her but have been denied access to see her so far.
Her next court date is scheduled for July 1, and she remains in custody.
The British Embassy in Tbilisi is also offering support to Bella’s family and liaising with local officials, just as they are in Charlotte Lee’s case in Sri Lanka.
A Growing Pattern or A Dangerous Coincidence?
With two British women detained in different countries within days of each other—and both allegedly involved in transporting large amounts of cannabis from Thailand—the question now is:
Are young travellers being targeted or coerced into drug smuggling without their knowledge?
Investigations are still underway in both cases, and until more details emerge, their families are left grappling with confusion, heartbreak, and a desperate hope for answers.
What Happens Next for Charlotte?
Charlotte remains in Sri Lankan custody as police continue their probe.
Whether she was knowingly involved or caught up in something beyond her control, the legal path ahead could be long and serious.
As her family and friends wait for more information, one thing is clear: what started as a birthday celebration has spiraled into a life-changing ordeal abroad.