A 21-year-old British woman, Charlotte May Lee, was arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on May 11, 2025, for allegedly smuggling 46 kilograms (approximately 100 pounds) of a dangerous synthetic drug known as “kush.”
The drug, reportedly originating from Sierra Leone, is said to contain human bones and has been linked to numerous deaths and health crises in the country.
Lee, a former flight attendant from Coulsdon, south London, arrived in Sri Lanka from Bangkok, Thailand. Upon inspection, authorities discovered the substantial quantity of kush in her luggage, with an estimated street value of $3.3 million. She faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Lee claims innocence, stating that the drugs were planted in her suitcase without her knowledge during her travels. She has described dire conditions in Sri Lankan custody, including overcrowded cells and inadequate access to hygiene and medical care.
Kush has become a significant public health crisis in Sierra Leone. The drug is a psychoactive blend of addictive substances, including cannabis, fentanyl, tramadol, formaldehyde, and, reportedly, ground-up human bones. Its use has surged among the youth, leading to severe health consequences, including organ failure and mental health issues. Between 2020 and 2023, admissions linked to kush at the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Hospital increased by almost 4,000%, reaching 1,865 cases.
In April 2024, President Julius Maada Bio declared a national emergency over the rampant abuse of kush, describing it as a “death trap” and an “existential crisis” for the nation. The government has since established a National Task Force on Drugs and Substance Abuse to combat the crisis, with plans to set up rehabilitation centers in every district.
The arrest of Charlotte May Lee has brought international attention to the kush epidemic in Sierra Leone, highlighting the drug’s global reach and the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address its production, distribution, and abuse.
