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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Peru Two's Michaella McCollum ‘couldn't survive prison horrors' Brit ‘smugglers' Bella Culley & Charlotte Lee may face
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICHAELLA McCollum of the notorious Peru Two has warned that accused Brit drug smugglers Bella Culley and Charlotte Lee will go through unbearable prison horrors. The infamous drug smuggler turned influencer branded the pair "victims", and said she could not endure the conditions Culley and Lee may have to face. 14 Former drug mule turned author, mum and public speaker Michaella McCollum has spoken on Bella Culley and Charlotte Lee Credit: Instagram/@Michaella_McCollum 14 Charlotte Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka after cops found two suitcases stuffed with 46kg of synthetic drug kush Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 14 Bella Culley was arrested in Tbilisi airport, Georgia, with a suitcase packed with drugs Credit: Facebook As one half of the notorious Peru Two, McCollum, 31, served three years in a hardcore prison near Lima when she was convicted of drug smuggling in 2013. Alongside Melissa Reid, the two were arrested at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru, after it was discovered that their suitcases contained a shocking £1.5million of cocaine between them. Mule turned author McCollum also detailed how she was forced to survive on maggot-infested paella and flick away cockroaches approaching her on the dining tables. The now mum-of-two said of Culley and Lee: "I could not do 20 years in a prison like that. I just couldn't. And that's what those girls are facing." Culley, 18, and Lee, 21, are facing similar but unrelated drug smuggling charges and have both been locked up far away from home with little hope of getting out. Culley was arrested on May 11 in Tbilisi airport, Georgia, with a suitcase packed with 31lb of cannabis and hashish after flying from Thailand via Sharjah in the UAE. She faces 15 years to life in jail in the eastern European former Soviet state. She is being held in watchtower-ringed Penitentiary No 5 near Tbilisi while prosecutors probe how she came to have the £200,000 stash and who she planned to hand it to. Meanwhile, Lee was arrested earlier this month in Sri Lanka after cops found two suitcases stuffed with 46kg of synthetic drug kush — which is 25 times more potent than opioid fentanyl. If found guilty, the South Londoner could face a 25-year sentence. Bella Culley's dad stands by daughter amid fears drug gangs are targeting Brit backpackers The Brit claimed that she didn't know she was smuggling drugs into Sri Lanka before she was detained - and called her allegations 'made up'. Her friends revealed that she has been struggling behind bars since her arrest due to the shocking conditions. The part-time nail technician told pals she has not been allowed medication, and detailed how her cleaning regime consists of 'having a glass of water poured over her head'. McCollum, who has endured similar hardship in foreign prisons, was also a very young adult when she made the "greatest mistake of my life". She was 19 at the time of her arrest, alongside her pal who she had recently met Reid, who was 20. The mum compared her story to those of Lee and Culley. She said: "The situation was almost exactly the same. Her mum had reported her missing, then it emerged that she'd been arrested. "There were such parallels with my case – except it was just in a different country." 14 Michaella McCollum (L) entering the Sarita Colonia jail with a police escort in October, 2013 Credit: EPA 14 Bella May Culley, 18, from Billingham, County Durham, seen in court in Tbilisi Credit: East2West 14 Charloitte May Lee, 21, former TUI flight attendant from Coulsdon, seen after she appeared in court in Colombo, Sri Lanka Credit: Enterprise 14 She added: "I couldn't help but feel bad for them. "They are 19 and 21. Whatever they have done, it's so young to be caught up in something like this, and I know what they are going to go through. "And their families. It's the worst thing anybody can have to face." Culley's situation also took a nightmare twist, after she told a Tbilisi court that she was pregnant. McCollum said: "As a mum, I can't even begin to imagine what it would be like to give birth in that sort of place, and to potentially have the child taken from you and put into care. How might the cases of Bella Culley and Charlotte May be connected? Within a single day of Bella Culley's arrest, Charlotte May, 21, was arrested in Sri Lanka after allegedly being caught trying to smuggle drugs worth £1.2m While the two arrests took place over 3,000 miles apart, people immediately noted striking similarities It is believed to be likely that Georgian and Sri Lankan authorities will launch a joint investigation Both women are said to have departed from the same airport - Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport - allegedly with the drugs on them In both cases, the drugs were stashed in airtight packages that suggest a level of professionalism Both women had told their loved ones that they planned on meeting a mystery man during their travels in Thailand: Bella's grandad said she mentioned a man called "Ross or Russ", while Charlotte's friends said she made vague comments about meeting a man "That adds a whole new, terrifying, dimension. It's just incredibly sad." The smuggler turned public speaker also said the accused pair need more public sympathy, but cautioned that she also understands they may have made mistakes, as she did. "It's easy to look at girls like this and think 'how could you be so stupid?' but I look back at myself and think exactly that," she said. "I don't know the circumstances in detail here, but I do know that of all the women I came across who had been involved in drug smuggling, only about 10 per cent were doing it as a business, who knew the risks and accepted them." She continued: "The vast majority were the victims of some sort of coercion, usually by men. 14 Welikada prison, where Lee may be thrown into, is reported to be infested with maggots and rats 14 The exterior of Tbilisi Prison No.5, Georgia's only female prison where Culley may have to serve Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 14 View of the containment areas of the Ancon 2 prison, where McCollum served her sentence Credit: AFP 14 "Prisons all over the world are full of women who have been caught up in something like this." Lee has already told cops about a mysterious Brit man called "Dan". She claims to have met him on a beach in Thailand before he bought her a ticket to Colombo, promised to join her but then suddenly vanished. McCollum said she was only regarded as a "victim" after a 2022 Netflix documentary exploring the Peru Two case. She said: "It was when I was watching an actress do some of the re-enactments of my story that I realised there had been exploitation and coercion going on here. "At the time I was so high (on cocaine) that I could barely walk. Yet the men around me were all sober. "I thought they were my friends, but actually they didn't give a s**t about me." McCollum was offered a mere £5,000 to smuggle the drugs she was caught with. "I mean who would risk spending 20 years of your life in prison for £3,000 or £4,000 or even £10,000," she reflected. "Even £50,000 isn't enough. No amount of money is worth your freedom." The 31-year-old has also written a book detailing her experience, and worked with police to tell her story to impressionable teens. More than a decade on from her harrowing story, the former drug mule is now a public speaker, wife and author who's estimated net worth nearly £1million. 14 Michaella McCollum is now a mum-of-two and author Credit: Instagram/@Michaella_McCollum 14 Part-time beautician Lee was arrested on May 12 after stepping off a flight to Sri Lanka from Thailand Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit ‘drug mule' Charlotte May Lee, 21, tears up as cops wheel £1.2m kush haul into court she ‘didn't know was in case'
A BRIT former flight attendant accused of smuggling £1.2 million worth of cannabis today appeared in front of a Sri Lankan court. Part-time beautician Charlotte May Lee was seen tearing up as she was wheeled into the court by local cops. 6 Charlotte May Lee today appeared in a Sri Lankan court Credit: BBC Breakfast 6 Charlotte was seen wearing handcuffs Credit: BBC Breakfast 6 The Brit was arrested last week after cops found two suitcases stuffed with 46kg of synthetic drug kush Credit: BBC Breakfast 6 Sri Lankan cops released a photo of the seized bags of drugs Charlotte was allegedly caught with Credit: Sri Lanka Police The Brit was arrested last week after cops found two suitcases stuffed with 46kg of synthetic drug kush — which is 25 times more potent than opioid fentanyl. If found guilty, South Londoner Charlotte could face a 25-year sentence. The Brit claimed that she didn't know she was smuggling drugs into Sri Lanka before she was detained - and called her allegations 'made up'. She appeared in front of a court today after languishing in a 'hell-hole' prison for days. Charlotte from Surrey was stopped by Sri Lankan customs officials after stepping off a flight from Thailand on Monday last week. Speaking from behind bars, she said she had "no idea" that there were drugs in her luggage when she left Bangkok. She claimed: "I had never seen them 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. "I had been in Bangkok the night before and had already packed my clothes because my flight was really early. "So I left my bags in the hotel room and headed for the night out. As they were already packed I didn't check them again in the morning." The young Brit believes those packets of drugs were planted in her luggage in a planned move by dangerous dealers in Southeast Asia. Kush, a highly addictive synthetic drug, has claimed the lives of thousands in West Africa where it first appeared in 2022 - and is spreading globally at an alarming rate. The dirt-cheap drug is cut with an array of additives including acetone, the opioid tramadol and formalin, a toxic chemical commonly used to preserve bodies in mortuaries. Her pals believe she was besotted by a mystery man named Rocko - a key piece of information which could be crucial to her defence. Prosecutors will argue her experience as a stewardess with holiday airline TUI proves she, 'knew to check her luggage before a flight'. Her friends revealed that Charlotte is struggling behind bars after her arrest due to the shocking conditions. The part-time nail technician told friends she has not been allowed medication. And her cleaning regime consists of 'having a glass of water poured over her head'. A friend said: 'She is struggling. We're so scared for her. She is a mess.' She can only use her phone while on remand in jail in Colombo for 'emergency calls'. Fears have been growing that Charlotte's case could be linked to that of 18-year-old Bella May Culley, who was arrested in Georgia after allegedly being caught with a suitcase of cannabis. Student nurse Bella had also told loved ones she was meeting a man in the Philippines who had moved to the country from the North East during her travels. The backpacker's social media went on to show her clearly in the company of a male stranger - but he was never clearly pictured or named. Her grandad William Culley, 80, revealed last Wednesday that she appears to have spent most of March in Thailand but also spent time in the Philippines with a man called 'Ross or Russ'. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun. 6
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Brit ‘drug mule' Charlotte May Lee, 21, tears up as cops wheel £1.2m kush haul into court she ‘didn't know was in case'
A BRIT former flight attendant accused of smuggling £1.2 million worth of cannabis today appeared in front of a Sri Lankan court. Part-time beautician Charlotte May Lee was seen tearing up as she was wheeled into the court by local cops. 6 Charlotte May Lee today appeared in a Sri Lankan court Credit: BBC Breakfast 6 Charlotte was seen wearing handcuffs Credit: BBC Breakfast 6 The Brit was arrested last week after cops found two suitcases stuffed with 46kg of synthetic drug kush Credit: BBC Breakfast 6 Pictures released by Sri lankan police shows packets allegedly containing drugs Credit: Sri Lanka Police The Brit was arrested last week after cops found two suitcases stuffed with 46kg of synthetic drug kush — which is 25 times more potent than opioid fentanyl. If found guilty, South Londoner Charlotte could face a 25-year sentence. She appeared in front of a court today after languishing in a 'hell-hole' prison for days. Charlotte from Surrey was stopped by Sri Lankan customs officials after stepping off a flight from Thailand on Monday last week. Speaking from behind bars, she said she had "no idea" that there were drugs in her luggage when she left Bangkok. She claimed: "I had never seen them 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. "I had been in Bangkok the night before and had already packed my clothes because my flight was really early. "So I left my bags in the hotel room and headed for the night out. As they were already packed I didn't check them again in the morning." Most read in The Sun The young Brit believes those packets of drugs were planted in her luggage in a planned move by dangerous dealers in Southeast Asia. Kush, a highly addictive synthetic drug, has claimed the lives of thousands in West Africa where it first appeared in 2022 - and is spreading globally at an alarming rate. The dirt-cheap drug is cut with an array of additives including acetone, the opioid tramadol and formalin, a toxic chemical commonly used to preserve bodies in mortuaries. More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at 6 6 Charlotte May Lee booking picture after she was caught Credit: Sri Lanka Police
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Man suffering with Chron's calls on Bromley Sainsbury's to reopen toilets
A South Londoner with Crohn's disease has called on Sainsbury's to reopen toilets in its Bromley superstore, saying people like him are being limited without easy access to the facilities. While one disabled toilet remains open at the supermarket in Walters Yard, the closure of the main toilets following vandalism and 'misuse' means asking a member of staff for the key. In Olly Russell's case, that means he feels 'limited' because he fears being caught short. Olly Russell The 41-year-old, who lives in Shortlands, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): 'Having access to a toilet is incredibly important because sometimes you get caught short and you just have to go. 'If you only have one toilet for everybody – so people with physical disabilities, people with unseen disabilities, mothers with their children, all of that – it's not workable.' Crohn's is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes parts of the gut to become inflamed, swollen, and ulcerated. Symptoms include gut pain, diarrhoea, weight loss and fatigue. Mr Russell believes that the toilet closure will negatively affect customers with medical conditions like Crohn's, as well as the elderly and parents with young children. In response to Sainsbury's decision to close the toilets over their misuse and vandalism, Mr Russell said that staff and security guards at the store should take more notice of the toilets on a day-to-day basis in order to prevent any misuse from occurring. He said: 'With Sainsbury's doing this, it will eventually affect their bottom line. Maybe not in a very clear way, but for a certain subset of people who do have disabilities, it can change where you go to shop. 'I'm not asking for any real special treatment. All I want is the option for a toilet I can just access instantly without a passcode or without a key or without some sort of rigmarole because often, you've not got much time.' Sam Webber, a Liberal Democrat Bromley councillor, has also criticised the closure. He feared that if the Sainsbury's toilets in Bromley continue to remain closed, it could have a domino effect on the supermarket chain's other stores in the borough, such as the ones in Beckenham, Penge, Orpington, Chislehurst and Locksbottom. Cllr Webber said: 'I raised this issue in the Bromley Council chamber because I am very concerned about the impact on our most vulnerable residents. "Those with conditions like Crohn's, as well as elderly residents and those with children, should not be forced to queue up and request a key for the disabled toilet in the Bromley Sainsbury's store. 'I am even more concerned that the other five Sainsbury's superstores will gradually see their toilets closed too. I hope Sainsbury's will now think again on this. If not, I suspect many of their customers will be voting with their feet and shopping elsewhere.' Marianne Radcliffe, CEO of charity Crohn's & Colitis UK, said: 'Public toilets are vital for people living with Crohn's and colitis, because symptoms include needing to use the loo frequently and urgently. "While it is good that an accessible toilet will still be available at this supermarket, customers will still have to spend time finding a staff member to get a key to open it. And that will be challenging due to needing toilet access quickly. 'Crohn's and colitis are among a number of invisible conditions, so it is important to remember that someone may look fine, but need toilet access urgently; not every disability is visible. Crohn's & Colitis UK works in partnership with other charities as part of the London Loo Alliance to remind people that toilet access plays a crucial part in making sure London is the welcoming city we all need it to be.' In response to the concerns raised by Mr Russell, a Sainsbury's spokesperson said: 'Due to ongoing challenges with misuse, we made the difficult decision to close some of the toilets at our Bromley store last year and are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. "Our accessible toilet remains available for customers who may need it, with our colleagues on hand to provide access.'
Daily Mirror
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Palace chief explains what comes next for Cup winners as transfer impact clear
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish admits he felt nervous heading into the final few moments at Wembley, but his side held on for a famous win and their first ever trophy Smiling from ear to ear standing outside the Wembley dressing rooms, chairman Steve Parish spoke of his pride and relief at Crystal Palace 's FA Cup triumph - and confessed his fear as a long-suffering Eagles fan. And then the South Londoner, who helped save the club from extinction in 2010. explained how the first Austrian to win English football's most famous trophy had changed the mentality and history of his club and ended the era of 'glorious failures'. Palace had played and lost two previous FA Cup finals to Manchester United. In 1990 when they twice led before losing a replay and in 2016 when Alan Pardew's goal celebration preceded an equaliser and an extra-time defeat. This time Eberechi Eze scored a brilliant breakaway goal, Dean Henderson saved a penalty and Palace stayed alive during a long injury time. But old habits die hard. 'In that last ten minutes, I was thinking: 'Is this now going to be the injury-time killer, the one where we're even closer?'' Parish admitted. 'At the end, it was real pride, real relief. I could have cried. Brightie (1990 finalist Mark Bright) was crying next to me. 'It's just such a fantastic day for South London the fans, for everybody that's been on the journey in the club forever, but obviously the last 15 years.' Parish led a consortium with three fellow supporters to save the Selhurst Park club from a second administration and liquidation. New US investors joined in 2015 and the club has enjoyed 12 consecutive seasons in the Premier League but had never won a trophy - or qualified for Europe - until now. And Oliver Glasner. 'It's always that glorious failure tag, and that's what Oliver's done,' said the co-owner. 'He's come in and just gone to another level. He said: 'Why glorious failure? Let's not do that, let's win something. 'For someone like Oliver, you have to remember, it doesn't happen by accident, he wants to win things, he wants to give people joy, and he's given me a lot of joy back in football. And he really helped me believe that we could do this. 'Sometimes maybe I've been part of that lack of belief, and of course you can see what he does to the fans. The fans are already incredible, but they believe the team are going to win. At the end I thanked him. He's a humble person. He said congratulations to me.' The next challenges for Parish and Glasner are building a squad to play in Europe - and keep their England stars. Adam Wharton would strengthen any midfield while match winner Eberechi Eze has a £60m-plus buyout clause. 'He is one of the best players in the Premier League,' said Tyrick Mitchell. 'You can see that week in, week out.' Captain Marc Guehi, who went off with concussion, has one year left on his deal. Will the FA Cup win encourage him to stay? 'I don't know, he's in hospital at the moment,' Parish deflected. 'He's thinking about his eye, at the moment.' But playing in Europe - and winning in style - will help recruitment. 'It doesn't hurt, does it?' the Eagles chairman said. We had a player that was maybe not really that interested and they watched the semi-final and then the agent rang us and said he's quite interested in being part of it. And add on Europe and it's a big plus. 'It's going to be a real journey, fans going to far-flung places, Palace on tour, it's just the stuff of dreams. 'It's not massive money in the Europa League but it's decent money and it creates a bit of a gap. If we can keep doing the right things it gets rid of the very bad alternative (relegation). "We are not going to lose our minds but we are going to take advantage of the situation and be positive and see what we can achieve. Hopefully it's not the only time we qualify.'
