Overview

• Charlotte May Lee, 21, was arrested in Sri Lanka on May 12, 2025, accused of smuggling 46kg of synthetic cannabis worth £1.2 million; she denies the charges, claiming the drugs were planted.
• Bella May Culley, 18, was detained in Georgia on May 11, 2025, for allegedly transporting 14kg of cannabis; she also denies the allegations and claims she is pregnant.
• Authorities in Sri Lanka and Georgia are investigating potential connections between the two cases, as both women traveled alone from Bangkok, a known transit hub for drug trafficking.
• Experts highlight the growing trend of young travelers being manipulated by international drug networks, often through grooming tactics that exploit their vulnerabilities.
• Relaxed cannabis laws in countries like Thailand have inadvertently fueled global smuggling operations, with the UK's National Crime Agency reporting a sharp rise in cannabis seizures at airports.