In May 2025, Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old former flight attendant from South London, was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for allegedly smuggling over 100 pounds (approximately 45 kilograms) of a synthetic drug known as “kush.” This seizure is reported to be the largest of its kind in Sri Lanka, with an estimated street value of $3.3 million.

The Arrest and Allegations

Lee was detained after customs officials discovered the substantial quantity of kush in her luggage. She claims that the drugs were planted without her knowledge. In a statement from prison, Lee said, “I had never seen them before. I didn’t expect it at all when they pulled me over at the airport. I thought it was going to be filled with all my stuff.” She further implied awareness of who might have been responsible, stating, “They must have planted it then. I know who did it,” without providing additional details.

According to her lawyer, Sampath Perera, Lee had been working in Thailand and traveled to Sri Lanka to await the renewal of her Thai visa. She is currently being held in a prison north of Colombo, reportedly sleeping on a concrete floor, and faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Understanding “Kush”

Kush is a synthetic drug that has gained notoriety in parts of West Africa, particularly Sierra Leone. It is reportedly made from a mixture of chemicals, tranquilizers, and ground-up human bones. The drug induces a hypnotic high that can last several hours and has been linked to severe health issues, including organ failure and death. In Sierra Leone, kush is blamed for causing approximately a dozen deaths per week, leading President Julius Maada Bio to declare a national emergency in 2024. He described the drug as a “death trap” and an “existential crisis” for the nation.

The demand for kush has led to grave robbing in Sierra Leone, as human bones are reportedly a key ingredient. Cemeteries have increased security measures to prevent the theft of skeletons.

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