Newly released photos have captured the tense moments right after Charlotte May Lee’s arrest at Colombo’s Police Narcotic Unit.
The 21-year-old, a former TUI cabin crew member, was detained on suspicion of smuggling an astonishing 46 kilograms of cannabis into Sri Lanka from Thailand.
The images show her dressed in white from head to toe, complete with gem-studded sandals, standing cautiously in the police station.
The Massive Drug Haul That Sparked the Arrest
Authorities discovered huge quantities of Kush, a synthetic cannabis variant, packed in two large suitcases that Lee had with her when she arrived in Colombo on May 12.
Dozens of vacuum-sealed bags filled with the drug were stacked on tables inside the narcotics unit — a staggering £1.2 million worth of illegal substances.
Denying Any Knowledge Behind Bars
Charlotte, who was working on a “booze cruise” in Thailand before her visa expired, strongly denies knowing anything about the drug stash.
Speaking from her cell in Negombo Prison, she told MailOnline, “I had never seen them before.
I didn’t expect it at all when they pulled me over at the airport. I thought it was going to be filled with all my stuff.”
From TikTok to Trapped in Custody
Earlier the same day she landed, Lee had posted a TikTok video showing herself in the very outfit she was arrested in, with a face mask on, boarding a flight out of Bangkok.
After her arrest, she was held at the Police Narcotics Unit for seven days, forced to sleep on a bug-infested sofa under 24/7 surveillance by a security guard.
Facing Court Alone and Overwhelmed
When Lee finally appeared in court at Negombo Magistrates Court, she was visibly shaken and tearful.
A legal source told MailOnline, “She seemed completely lost.
She was crying a lot and was all alone. It looked like she had no idea what was going on.”
Since then, she has been transferred to Negombo Prison — one of the largest prisons in Sri Lanka.
Harsh Conditions in Sri Lankan Prison
Lee faces up to two years in Negombo Prison while awaiting trial, and if convicted, potentially up to 25 years in the notorious Welikada Prison, the country’s toughest maximum security facility.
She described the conditions as brutal, saying, “I haven’t eaten for days because the food is too spicy.
There are no beds, no blankets, and I’m literally sleeping on a concrete floor with only my jumper as a pillow.”
She also mentioned the prison is overcrowded with rats running around and maggots found in the food — conditions that many call ‘Hell’ for female inmates.
Lee lamented, “I feel like I have no human rights here.
The ceiling fan doesn’t work properly, the TV barely works, and I only have one set of clothes.
They’re not even allowing me to take my ADHD medication.”
The Story Behind the Trip to Sri Lanka
Charlotte revealed she had been waiting in Thailand for her visa renewal and decided to visit Sri Lanka, a country she had never been to before, because it was nearby—a short three-hour flight away.
“I thought I’d come here while waiting for my Thai visa,” she explained.
She believes someone planted the drugs in her luggage, saying, “They were supposed to meet me here, but now I’m stuck in this jail.”
She recounted, “I packed my bags the night before since I had an early flight.
I left my bags in the hotel room and went out for the night. I didn’t check them again in the morning.
That’s when they must have planted the drugs.” Lee confidently stated, “I know who did it.”
What’s Next for Charlotte May Lee
Charlotte is due to appear again at Negombo Magistrates Court next week for her bi-weekly hearing, where the legal process will continue as she fights the serious charges against her.