Latest news with #CharlotteMayLee
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Cannabis seizures at UK airports soar to new highs with Thai gangs responsible
A record 430 suspects were arrested at Heathrow, the National Crime Agency reports RECORD BUSTS Cannabis seizures at UK airports soar to new highs with Thai gangs responsible CANNABIS seizures have soared to record highs at UK airports — as Thai smuggling gangs attempt to dominate the British market in the illegal drug. The amount caught at Heathrow alone last year — 14.7 tons — was almost triple the 5.6 tons snared at all airports during 2023. Advertisement 2 Alleged smuggler Charlotte May Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka on a flight from Thailand Credit: Sri Lanka Police Nearly 27 tons of cannabis were seized at British airports last year, 400 per cent up on the previous 12 months. Some 750 people were caught by specialist cops, way up on the 134 nicked the year before. Nearly two thirds were flying in from Thailand. A record 430 suspects were arrested at Heathrow, the National Crime Agency said. Advertisement Next worst hotspots were Manchester with 135 arrests and 4.8 tons seized and Birmingham, where 40 people were arrested over 1.4 tons. Thai gangs are thought to be trying to expand their stake in the British market by exploiting the Asian state's decriminalising of the drug in 2022. Many Brits are now caught trying to re-enter the UK with drugs having been lured to Thailand by the promise of a free holiday, lavish gifts and posh accommodation. In return, they must bring back suitcases stuffed with drugs. Advertisement A source said: 'It's so much easier to obtain cannabis in Thailand than anywhere else. 'There is a huge amount of demand in the UK, especially for kush, which is much stronger. That explains the massive surge in seizures.' Charlotte May Lee fears being locked away for 20yrs over £1.2m Sri Lanka drugs bust – & is 'aware' of Bella Culley case More than 50 British nationals have been caught acting as drug mules on flights out of Thailand since the start of 2024. They include Charlotte May Lee, 21, held in Sri Lanka after flying from Thailand allegedly with £1.2million worth of kush. Advertisement
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Cannabis seizures at UK airports soar to new highs with Thai gangs responsible
CANNABIS seizures have soared to record highs at UK airports — as Thai smuggling gangs attempt to dominate the British market in the illegal drug. The amount caught at Heathrow alone last year — 14.7 tons — was almost triple the 5.6 tons snared at all airports during 2023. Advertisement 2 Alleged smuggler Charlotte May Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka on a flight from Thailand Credit: Sri Lanka Police Nearly 27 tons of cannabis were seized at British airports last year, 400 per cent up on the previous 12 months. Some 750 people were caught by specialist cops, way up on the 134 nicked the year before. Nearly two thirds were flying in from Thailand. A record 430 suspects were arrested at Heathrow, the National Crime Agency said. Advertisement READ MORE ON DRUGS Next worst hotspots were Manchester with 135 arrests and 4.8 tons seized and Birmingham, where 40 people were arrested over 1.4 tons. Thai gangs are thought to be trying to expand their stake in the British market by exploiting the Asian state's decriminalising of the drug in 2022. Many Brits are now caught trying to re-enter the UK with drugs having been lured to Thailand by the promise of a free holiday, lavish gifts and posh accommodation. In return, they must bring back suitcases stuffed with drugs. Advertisement Most read in The Sun A source said: 'It's so much easier to obtain cannabis in Thailand than anywhere else. 'There is a huge amount of demand in the UK, especially for kush, which is much stronger. That explains the massive surge in seizures.' Charlotte May Lee fears being locked away for 20yrs over £1.2m Sri Lanka drugs bust – & is 'aware' of Bella Culley case More than 50 British nationals have been caught acting as drug mules on flights out of Thailand since the start of 2024. They include Advertisement 2 There have been record numbers of cannabis seizures at UK airports, with two-thirds coming from Thailand Credit: Unpixs
News18
2 days ago
- News18
Dancing High And Naked At 37,000 Feet: Flight Attendant Shocks Passengers After Taking Drugs
Last Updated: The flight was headed for London and had taken off from San Francisco. News18 A British Airways cabin crew member was arrested after he was found dancing naked in the business class toilet during a flight from San Francisco to London Heathrow on Sunday. The steward reportedly failed to show up for duty mid-flight, prompting colleagues to search the aircraft after he did not serve meals and drinks on time. They then searched the plane and found him completely naked and dancing up and down in the cabin bathroom, according to a report by the Sun. 'We think the guy popped pills when he was meant to be working. It is an extraordinary thing to do. The plane was cruising at 37,000ft over the Atlantic, but this bloke seemed to be higher than anyone else," a coworker said, commenting on the incident. Other crew members quickly threw a spare pair of First Class pyjamas on the nude flight attendant before moving him to the First Class cabin, where he remained for the rest of the ten-and-a-half hour journey. After landing, the staffer was given medical attention and escorted off the plane in a wheelchair before being arrested by airport police. The cabin crew member has been suspended from duty while an internal investigation is underway. The incident comes days after another aviation-related controversy involving a young British former flight attendant. Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old from Coulsdon in south London, appeared in a Colombo court on Friday after being accused of smuggling cannabis worth £1.2 million into Sri Lanka. Lee was arrested at Bandaranaike Airport on May 11 after arriving from Bangkok. Sri Lankan police allegedly found 46 kg of 'Kush', a potent synthetic strain of cannabis, in her suitcase. The former TUI Airways flight attendant was held in a cell at the back of the courtroom and briefly brought to the witness box, though she reportedly struggled to follow the proceedings as they were conducted in Sinhalese, the main language of Sri Lanka. Police also wheeled in the nearly 50 kg of cannabis she was allegedly caught smuggling as part of their ongoing investigation. Charlotte is expected to appear in court again in two weeks. First Published:
New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
$3.3M ‘human bones' drug bust could land ex-flight attendant behind bars
The country of Sri Lanka has a bone to pick with this woman. Former flight attendant Charlotte May Lee, 21, faces up to 25 years in prison for allegedly trying to smuggle in a massive 100-pound stash of "kush." Originating from Sierra Leone, the deadly new street drug is believed to contain human bones that have been soaked in embalming fluid. Smoking kush creates a "zombie-like" high — not unlike the effects of synthetic marijuana, aka "spice." Get all the creepy details in this episode of "Weird But True" hosted by The Post's Andrew Court.
STV News
3 days ago
- STV News
British woman appears in Sri Lanka court over serious drug trafficking offences
Charlotte May Lee was arrested after police allegedly found £1.2 million worth of Kush in her luggage, as ITV News' Barnaby Papadopulos reports A 21-year-old woman from South London has appeared in court in Sri Lanka over drug-related offences. Charlotte May Lee was arrested at the country's main international airport in May after police allegedly found £1.2 million worth of Kush – a type of cannabis – in her luggage, with customs describing it as their largest drug seizure to date. Lee had been travelling from Thailand, and insists the drugs were planted. The former flight attendant could face 25 years in prison if found guilty. Sampath Perera, Lee's lawyer, told ITV News that she is 'not emotionally perfect', but added that she is trying her 'very best' given the circumstances. Charlotte May Lee arrived at the Negombo Magistrate's Court on Friday He said that her family is being 'very supportive' and 'cooperative', while being in 'big pain' over her arrest. Mr Perera said he hasn't heard from the Foreign Office about support for Lee. He is unaware whether Lee's family have been in contact with the British government. ITV News has approached the Foreign Office for comment. Arriving at the Negombo Magistrates Court on Friday, Lee could be see wearing a white dress, with two police officers by her side. The court heard that critical evidence, including forensic analysis, has not yet been submitted. Lee has not been formally indicted. The Attorney General's department will only file charges in the High Court once all reports, including forensic analysis, have been submitted in court. Police said they found £1.2 million worth of Kush – a type of cannabis – in Ms Lee's luggage. / Credit: Sri Lanka Customs Last week, she told the MailOnline that she had 'never' seen the drugs that were in her suitcase. '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,' she said. She said the drugs must have been planted, adding: 'I know who did it'. Lee told the MailOnline that she travelled to Sri Lanka to wait there while her Thai visa was being renewed. She said the people she believed planted the drugs were meant to meet her at the airport. Charlotte May Lee was travelling from Thailand to Sri Lanka. / Credit: Sri Lanka Police According to the charity Prisoners Abroad, new drug cases involving British people have soared, with women and young people particularly impacted. Women made up 62% of new drug-related cases last year, while younger people made up 65% of cases, the charity said. Lee's next hearing will be on June 13. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
