Former British flight attendant Charlotte May Lee faces 25 years in Sri Lankan prison for allegedly smuggling a deadly synthetic drug made with human bones, in the largest marijuana-related bust in Colombo Airport’s history.
Key Takeaways
- 21-year-old ex-flight attendant Charlotte May Lee was arrested with 100 pounds of ‘Kush’ valued at $3.3 million, a dangerous synthetic drug containing cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde, and possibly human remains.
- Lee claims the drugs were planted in her luggage while in Bangkok, stating “I know who did it” – a defense that authorities are investigating as drug trafficking from Thailand increases.
- ‘Kush’ originated in Sierra Leone and has caused thousands of deaths across West Africa, leading to national emergencies declared in multiple countries.
- The drug contains deadly nitazenes (synthetic opioids) with ingredients sourced from China, the Netherlands, and possibly the UK.
- Sri Lankan authorities noted this was part of a pattern, as “another passenger who had left Bangkok airport, almost at the same time, was arrested in another country.”
Record-Breaking Drug Seizure Exposes International Trafficking Network
Sri Lankan customs officials made history at Bandaranaike Airport when they intercepted what would become their largest marijuana-related bust ever. Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old former British flight attendant, was detained with approximately 100 pounds of a synthetic drug known as ‘Kush’ hidden in her luggage. The seized contraband has an estimated street value of $3.3 million, revealing the massive scale of this trafficking operation. Lee was reportedly in Thailand waiting for her visa renewal when she decided to travel to Sri Lanka, a decision that now threatens to cost her 25 years of her life behind bars.
Sri Lankan authorities indicated this arrest fits a disturbing pattern they’ve been monitoring. “Another passenger who had left Bangkok airport, almost at the same time, was arrested in another country. We arrested this lady [Lee] based on profiling,” explained a Sri Lanka customs officer. This suggests a coordinated international trafficking network operating out of Thailand, targeting various countries with different couriers, potentially using unwitting travelers as mules.
A former flight attendant caught smuggling over 100 pounds of a deadly new synthetic drug made of human bones faces up to 25 years in a Sri Lankan prison.
Charlotte May Lee, 21, from the United Kingdom, was seized at Bandaranaike Airport in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo… pic.twitter.com/18l9ZxsTkv
— Qᴀɢɢ.ɴᴇᴡꜱ (@qaggnews) May 26, 2025
The Deadly Reality of ‘Kush’: A Drug Made With Human Remains
What makes this case particularly disturbing is the composition of the drug itself. ‘Kush’ is not typical marijuana but a dangerous synthetic concoction that has caused thousands of deaths across West Africa. Chemical analysis reveals it contains a deadly mixture of cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde, nitazenes (potent synthetic opioids), synthetic cannabinoids, and – most grotesquely – possible human bone fragments. The drug’s devastating impact has forced the presidents of Sierra Leone and Liberia to declare national emergencies to combat the epidemic ravaging their countries.
“I had never seen them [the drugs] before. I didn’t expect it all when they pulled me over at the airport. I thought it was going to be filled with all my stuff,” “Lee claimed when confronted with the contents of her luggage,” according to The Mirror.
Intelligence reports indicate that the ingredients for ‘Kush’ are imported from multiple countries, including China, the Netherlands, and potentially the United Kingdom. The drug trade has become increasingly fragmented as smaller criminal groups establish operations to capitalize on growing demand. This decentralization makes the trade harder to track and control, creating perfect conditions for unwitting travelers to be used as drug mules by sophisticated criminal networks.
Lee Claims Innocence Through Planted Evidence
Lee’s defense centers on her claim that she had no knowledge of the drugs in her luggage. “They must have planted it then,” she insisted during questioning, later adding, “I know who did it.” According to her account, she left her bags unattended in a Bangkok hotel room and failed to check their contents before her flight. This potentially fatal lapse in judgment – whether true or fabricated – highlights the vulnerability of travelers in regions known for drug trafficking operations.
“Another passenger who had left Bangkok airport, almost at the same time, was arrested in another country. We arrested this lady [Lee] based on profiling,” according to Crime Online.
Sri Lankan law enforcement has noted a significant increase in drug trafficking operations originating from Bangkok in recent months. This surge points to Thailand becoming a major transit hub for narcotics destined for various international markets. The case represents a chilling example of how drug cartels continue to evolve their tactics, potentially exploiting innocent travelers or recruiting vulnerable individuals with promises of easy money, while governments struggle to keep pace with these criminal innovations.
