Latest news with #drugmule
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Another Brit woman 'is arrested on drug charges abroad'... after worried family reported the 21-year-old missing
A young female drug mule suspect has been detained and arrested in Germany for allegedly smuggling cannabis from Thailand. Cameron Bradford, 21, from Knebworth in Hertfordshire was stopped at Munich Airport on April 21 while she tried to collect her luggage. Sources told The Sun she served a red flag to authorities after changing her flight last minute as she was originally meant to fly via Singapore to London Heathrow. It is thought Ms Bradford could now face at least four months in a German prison while authorities investigate the drugs' origins. The young mum's arrest is the latest in a series of cases involving suspected young British female drug mules. Ms Bradford, who has a young son, triggered alarm from her family when she didn't return home on her Heathrow bound flight as expected. They filed a missing person report but were alerted the next day to the 21-year-old's whereabouts in Germany. Chief prosecutor Anne Leiding of the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office said: 'We can confirm that we are conducting proceedings in this matter. The young mum's arrest is the latest in a series of cases involving suspected young British female drug mules 'The defendant is still in custody.' Charges and a trial date are yet to be be provided by the prosecution, amid an ongoing investigation. A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting a British woman who is detained in Germany and are in contact with her family and the local authorities.' Germany legalised cannabis for recreational use by adults aged 18 and over in 2024 - but did not extend this change to tourists or non-residents. There are also differing interpretations of the law across all of Germany's 16 federal states. And the unauthorised import of cannabis, even for personal use, remains strictly illegal, carrying a five years prison sentence. Recently, 36-year-old Clara Wilson was allegedly found trying to smuggle around £200,000 of Thai cannabis into Spain. The mother-of-four, prominent on OnlyFans and from Huthwaite in Nottinghamshire was held by the Civil Guard on January 20 after departing a Qatar Airways flight from Doha. It is believed she jetted to the Mediterranean capital from Bangkok with stops in both India and Qatar. The unemployed parent now faces four years behind bars and potential fines of over £750,000 if she is found guilty. A 23-year-old British woman in Ghana was also arrested last week after being accused of attempting to bring up to 18kg of cannabis into the UK on a May 18 British Airways flight to Gatwick. And Bella May Culley, 18, sparked a massive international search operation in early May after she was reported missing while she was believed to be holidaying in Thailand. However, it was later revealed that the teen, from Billingham, County Durham, had been arrested 4,000 miles away on drug offences in Georgia, allegedly carrying 14kg of cannabis into the ex-Soviet nation. And recently 21-year-old Charlotte Lee May, from Coulsdon, south London, was arrested in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo after police discovered 46kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase. The former flight attendant, facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted, is claiming she had 'no idea' about the drugs worth up to £1.2 million and insisting they must have been planted in her luggage without her knowledge.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Pembrokeshire drug dealer who stashed 12 grams of heroin inside him
THIS is the face of a 'drug mule' who has been jailed after being caught with more than 12 grams of heroin stashed up his bum. Mark Briskham, 52, of Wavell Crescent in Pembroke Dock, was jailed for 16 months after admitting possession with intent to supply heroin and heroin possession. Sentencing him, Judge Geraint Walters said: 'Amongst all Class A drugs, this is the most harmful of them all. 'Engaging in the activity of supplying it has to be treated as a serious matter.' Swansea Crown Court heard that Briskham and another man drove to the Swansea area to pick up a quantity of diamorphine – heroin – at around 9.30am on June 8 last year. However, Briskham was stopped by police in Llanteg on his way back home that afternoon. No drugs were found in the car or on either of the men, prosecutor Caitlin Brazel said, so they were both taken to Withybush Hospital for a scan. The passenger's scan was negative, but Briskham then refused to be examined. He was taken to the police station and kept under supervision, until he asked to go to the toilet and expelled a package containing 12.7 grams of diamorphine from his rectum. A drug expert valued the heroin at £1,590 if sold in street deals. Briskham initially denied a charge of possession with intent to supply heroin, but admitted a charge of possession. However, he pleaded guilty on the morning of trial on a basis which was accepted by the prosecution. The defendant said he only wanted to buy seven grams of heroin for his own personal use. He had agreed to drive to pick the drugs up and bring them back, and would be supplied with seven grams out of the total haul when this was done. 'He's being used as a mule,' Judge Walters summarised. Mark Briskham was stopped by police whilst he had 12 grams of heroin stashed up his bum. (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police) 'There has been a significant gap in his offending,' said Jon Tarrant, in mitigation. 'In the last 17 years or so there has been very little which the defendant has troubled the court.' Mr Tarrant said Briskham contacted the health board about his addiction issues following his arrest, and was now drug-free. He said the defendant 'welcomed' his period in custody after pleading guilty, adding that it had been 'a bit of a wake-up call' for him. As he jailed Briskham, Judge Walters accused him of having 'played cat and mouse' with the police after initially refusing to be examined in hospital and then not pleading guilty to possession with intent until the morning of trial.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Glamorous drug mule turned OnlyFans star issues warning to young women caught smuggling cannabis
A glamorous drug mule turned Only Fans star issued a stark warning to two young women facing similar charges overseas. The content creator, Levi-April Whalley, a former nurse from the UK, was caught trying to smuggle some 77 pounds of marijuana into the country when she returned from a trip to New York City in 2023. She told officials at Birmingham International Airport she had gone on a three-day shopping spree in the Big Apple when they were stopped. Whalley also claimed the 70 heat-sealed bags inside her luggage were just watches, according to Lancs Live. But soon, border officials discovered $217,000 worth of cannabis inside the bags. She was ultimately handed an 18-month suspended sentence at Preston Crown Court in northwest England last month. In the meantime, Whalley said she is closely following the cases of fellow Brits Bella May Culley, 18, and Charlotte May Lee, 21, who are both suspected of being drug mules. Now she's offered the suspects some advice. 'If I had the chance to speak to Bella and Charlotte, I would tell them to tell the truth and be honest,' she told The Mirror. Whalley added that she understands 'exactly what they are going through,' but can only 'imagine how worried they are.' Culley, a nursing student from northeast England, was arrested in the former Soviet country of Georgia earlier this month when she allegedly tried to smuggle 30 pounds of cannabis into the Black Sea nation. She was traveling around the Philippines and Thailand before she boarded the flight to Georgia from Bangkok, and has claimed in court that she is pregnant. Culley has also confided in legal sources that she was in love with a mystery man who now forms a central part of the investigation. Lee, a former flight attendant from south London, meanwhile, was apprehended in Sri Lanka after police discovered she was ferrying more than 100 pounds of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis that contains remnants of human bones. Both women have denied the charges against them, but if she were to be convicted Culley could spend the rest of her life in prison and Lee could spend more than two decades behind bars. In them, Whalley apparently sees herself - claiming the two suspects are 'victims' who were in 'vulnerable' situations like she was when she agreed to become a drug mule to 'escape.' 'I was not in a good place and could say I was somewhat vulnerable at the time,' she claimed. 'These are two young girls - and I believe that's probably the same situation for them.' Her comments come as authorities across the world are working to determine whether local gangs in Thailand may be targeting naïve travelers. Jemal Janashia, a former police general in Georgia and one of the country's top drug crime experts, told the that local investigators will be keen to explore 'the possibility of a link' between Culley and Lee's cases - and, hauntingly, 'that Thai gangs may be attempting to recruit vulnerable British travelers'. Janashia, who used to head Georgia's national bureau for combating drug trafficking, suggested that a police crackdown on postal drug deliveries in Thailand may have pushed 'the cartel' to seek alternative smuggling routes. 'Georgia does look like an attractive middle transit point,' he suggested, close to Europe and visa free for European travelers. Noting that Culley was 18, foreign to Thailand and pregnant, and suggesting she may have been used as a pawn in a complex trafficking operation, he said that 'whoever chose her, they knew what they were doing'. He told the Mirror that he would advise Culley to cooperate with the investigation and 'indicate who were the youths that she was in touch with in Thailand' - and a fixer in Georgia, if there was one. In the meantime, Whalley says she now feels lucky that she was arrested in the UK - noting that her situation could have been much worse if she were detained abroad. 'I believe if I was caught abroad, it would have been a completely different outcome for myself,' she said. 'I believe I would have been in the same situation as them,' she claimed. Still, she claimed her life over the past 16 months has been 'torture' as she lost her job and was prevented from traveling as she gave birth to her daughter. She also gave birth to her daughter. Whalley now hopes her and the two girls' stories will prevent other women from deciding to take the risk to smuggle drugs internationally. 'Just because I had a suspended sentence should not set a precedent for others to do it,' she told the Mirror, adding that Culley and Lee's situation 'shows that people don't always get the outcome we had and should now make people aware of the actual dangers of bringing someone's suitcase back. 'I hope, going forward, people see the severity of this offense.'
The Sun
23-05-2025
- The Sun
Brit ‘drug mule' Charlotte Lee ‘washing by having glass of water tipped on her head' as grim new prison details revealed
ALLEGED drug mule Charlotte May Lee is washing by 'having a glass of water poured over her head' as grim new details about her life behind bars have been revealed. The Brit claimed that she didn't know she was smuggling £1.2million worth of the synthetic drug kush into Sri Lanka before she was detained - and called her allegations 'made up'. 9 9 9 Emotional Charlotte May, 21, was told she may not be sentenced for another 12 months - and will face at least 20 years in the 'hellish' Welikada Prison if convicted. Her pals believe she was besotted by a mystery man named Rocko - a key piece of information which could be crucial to her defence. She will plead 'not guilty' at the next court hearing, which could take place in a fortnight, mates said. Prosecutors will argue her experience as a stewardess with holiday airline TUI proves she, 'knew to check her luggage before a flight'. Charlotte had work done on her teeth, hair extensions fitted, and bought designer bags and trainers, before she headed from the UK to Thailand on holiday to hook up with mystery man Rocko. 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'. Brit 'drug smuggler' Bella Culley 'starving' in ex-Soviet hell prison - as she reveals pregnancy craving to celeb lawyer An unknown British man was waiting for Charlotte when she arrived on a flight to Colombo from Thailand last Monday. She was nicked when cops found a record amount of deadly super-strong synthetic cannabinoid kush. 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'. Charlotte, of Chipstead in Surrey, claimed the drugs found in her suitcase were "planted" on her. 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. 9 9 9 "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 the huge amount of illegal substances were planted in her luggage in a planned move by dangerous dealers in Southeast Asia. And Charlotte said: "I know who did it." 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. Why Brit backpackers are prime targets, Thai cop reveals By Patrick Harrington, Foreign News Reporter Police Lieutenant Colonel Arun Musikim, Deputy Inspector of the Surat Thani province police force, said: 'Cases involving British nationals smuggling cannabis have been around for a while. 'There is a lot of cannabis grown on Thailand's islands in the south because the climate is suitable and it is legal. A lot of gangs are attracted to this. 'There are now various smuggling methods that we have seen. Some carry it themselves, some hire backpackers, and some send it via mail. 'This year, there have been many cases we have intercepted. Most involve British and Malaysian nationals. 'It's easy for British citizens to travel as they can enter Thailand and return to the UK without needing a visa. 'Most of the smugglers are people hired to carry the cannabis, similar to how tourists might smuggle tax-free goods. 'They're usually unemployed individuals from the UK. The gangs offer them flights, pocket money and hotel stays, just to come and travel and take a bag back home with them. 'These people often have poor social standing at home and are looking for ways to earn quick money. They find them through friends or on social media. 'Many will go to festivals or parties while they are here, just like they are having a normal trip abroad. 'They are told that it is easy and they will not be caught. Then the amount the organisers can sell the cannabis for in the UK is much higher than it costs in Thailand. 'Police suspect that there are multiple employers and groups receiving the drugs on the other end. The cannabis then enters the UK market. 'We are being vigilant to ensure there are no routes out of the country.' It comes as a friend of Charlotte's revealed she is aware of the similar case of Bella Culley. However, the two youngsters have never met, and Charlotte "doesn't know if there is any connection" to her own ordeal. Shocking images published by customs officials in Sri Lanka show how drugs had been allegedly stuffed into Charlotte's luggage in large vacuum-sealed bags. Bella's alleged stash was also discovered in stacked, airtight packages pointing to a similar-style operation. And in another twist, the two had individually told their loved ones they planned on meeting a mystery man during their travels. Bella revealed to her family she was meeting an unknown man in the Philippines who had moved to the country from the North East. Sri Lanka's maximum security Welikada Prison is notoriously 'hellish', with 650 women in a ward designed for 150 cons. Riots have erupted due to poor conditions, including the sweltering heat. A former partner of Charlotte arrested in connection with allegations that he mistreated her is now expected to have his case dropped. The tattooed muscle man released a video dancing a jig - seemingly celebrating her shocking arrest and the dramatic turn of events. 9 9
The Sun
22-05-2025
- The Sun
‘Drug mule' Charlotte May Lee besotted by mystery man ‘Rocko' – as cops slam claim she ‘didn't know what was in luggage'
ALLEGED drug mule Charlotte May Lee was besotted by a mystery man named Rocko, with her worried pals believing he may be able to help her defence. It comes as prosecutors slammed the Brit's claim that she didn't know she was £1.2 million worth of kush into Sri Lanka - calling her story 'made up'. 10 10 10 Emotional Charlotte May Lee, 21, was told she may not be sentenced for another 12 months - and will face at least 20 years in a 'hellish' jail if convicted. She will plead 'not guilty' at the next court hearing, which could take place in a fortnight, pals said. Prosecutors will argue her experience as a stewardess with TUI proves she, 'knew to check her luggage before a flight'. According to her pals, Charlotte was besotted with a British guy in Thailand known as Rocko, who they believe could help her defence. Charlotte had work done on her teeth, hair extensions fitted, and bought designer bags and trainers, before she headed from the UK to Thailand on holiday to hook up with the mystery man Rocko. The part-time nail technician also told friends she has not been allowed medication and her cleaning regime is 'having a glass of water poured over her head' behind bars. 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'. An unknown British man was waiting for Charlotte when she arrived on a flight to Colombo from Thailand last Monday. She was nicked when cops found a record amount of deadly super-strong synthetic cannabinoid kush. 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'. Charlotte, of Chipstead in Surrey, claimed the drugs found in her suitcase were "planted" on her. 10 10 10 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 the huge amount of illegal substances were planted in her luggage in a planned move by dangerous dealers in Southeast Asia. And Charlotte said: "I know who did it." 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. 10 10 10 It comes as a friend of Charlotte's revealed she is aware of the similar case of Bella Culley. However, the two youngsters have never met, and Charlotte "doesn't know if there is any connection" to her own ordeal. Shocking images published by customs officials in Sri Lanka show how drugs had been allegedly stuffed into Charlotte's luggage in large vacuum-sealed bags. Bella's alleged stash was also discovered in stacked, airtight packages pointing to a similar-style operation. And in another twist, the two had individually told their loved ones they planned on meeting a mystery man during their travels. Bella revealed to her family she was meeting an unknown man in the Philippines who had moved to the country from the North East. Sri Lanka's maximum security Welikada Prison is notoriously 'hellish', with 650 women in a ward designed for 150 cons. Riots have erupted due to poor conditions, including the sweltering heat. A former partner of Charlotte arrested in connection with allegations that he mistreated her is now expected to have his case dropped. The tattooed muscle man released a video dancing a jig - seemingly celebrating her shocking arrest and the dramatic turn of events. Why Brit backpackers are prime targets, Thai cop reveals By Patrick Harrington, Foreign News Reporter Police Lieutenant Colonel Arun Musikim, Deputy Inspector of the Surat Thani province police force, said: 'Cases involving British nationals smuggling cannabis have been around for a while. 'There is a lot of cannabis grown on Thailand's islands in the south because the climate is suitable and it is legal. A lot of gangs are attracted to this. 'There are now various smuggling methods that we have seen. Some carry it themselves, some hire backpackers, and some send it via mail. 'This year, there have been many cases we have intercepted. Most involve British and Malaysian nationals. 'It's easy for British citizens to travel as they can enter Thailand and return to the UK without needing a visa. 'Most of the smugglers are people hired to carry the cannabis, similar to how tourists might smuggle tax-free goods. 'They're usually unemployed individuals from the UK. The gangs offer them flights, pocket money and hotel stays, just to come and travel and take a bag back home with them. 'These people often have poor social standing at home and are looking for ways to earn quick money. They find them through friends or on social media. 'Many will go to festivals or parties while they are here, just like they are having a normal trip abroad. 'They are told that it is easy and they will not be caught. Then the amount the organisers can sell the cannabis for in the UK is much higher than it costs in Thailand. 'Police suspect that there are multiple employers and groups receiving the drugs on the other end. The cannabis then enters the UK market. 'We are being vigilant to ensure there are no routes out of the country.'
