Former flight attendant reportedly found with 101 pounds of synthetic drugs in her luggage at Sri Lankan airport, sources claim
Sri Lanka’s Ongoing Battle with Drug Smuggling
Sri Lankan authorities are grappling with a significant drug smuggling issue, underscored by recent events at Colombo airport. Nearly 60 kilograms of synthetic cannabis, known as kush, have been seized this month in three separate incidents involving international suspects. The most significant haul was from a 21-year-old British woman, Charlotte May Lee, who was intercepted on May 12 with 46 kilograms (101 pounds) of the potent substance packed in her suitcases.
This seizure is being labeled as possibly the biggest drug bust at Colombo airport in recent times, according to Customs Additional Director General Seevali Arukgoda. The South Asian island has long been a transit point for international drug smugglers. The three individuals arrested-hailing from Britain, India, and Thailand-now face severe consequences, with potential life imprisonment looming if they are convicted.
The British media has identified the woman as Charlotte May Lee, a former flight attendant from London who had traveled to Sri Lanka from Thailand. She is currently detained near the Colombo airport and remains in contact with her family. Her lawyer informed the BBC that she denied any knowledge of the drugs found in her luggage, claiming they were planted at her hotel in Bangkok. Legal support continues as her team visits her daily to ensure her wellbeing.
On May 16, another arrest was made when a 33-year-old Indian man was caught at the northern seaport of Kankesanthurai carrying four kilograms of kush. Two days later, a 21-year-old Thai man was stopped at Colombo airport while allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly eight kilograms of the drug. All suspects have been handed over to anti-narcotics police for further investigation.
The emergence of kush-a synthetic drug containing powerful opioids-has wreaked havoc in several regions. It has notably impacted West African countries, including Sierra Leone, where it has become a major public health issue. In 2014, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio declared a war on kush, describing it as an epidemic and a national threat (Associated Press).
Sri Lanka’s history with narcotics smuggling is not new. The island has previously seen large seizures of heroin and other drugs off its shores, indicating its use as a transit hub for narcotics being reshipped onward. In October, a Sri Lankan court sentenced ten Iranian men to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to smuggling over 111 kilograms of heroin-a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the country in combating drug trafficking.
This latest series of arrests adds to an already complex narrative. Earlier in 2023, nine Iranians received life sentences in another drug smuggling case. As authorities continue their efforts against this illicit trade, the global ramifications remain evident. For more details on international reactions and implications, visit BBC News.
