British girl accused of drug offences seems in Sri Lanka courtroom

A British girl accused of making an attempt to smuggle a big amount of hashish into Sri Lanka has gave the impression in courtroom within the nation.

Charlotte May Lee, 21, from south London, used to be arrested previous this month after government allegedly discovered 46kg of the drug in her suitcases when she arrived on a flight from Thailand.

She has no longer but been charged, however has in the past denied understanding the alleged medicine have been in her baggage. If discovered accountable, she may just withstand 25 years in the back of bars.

Speaking to the BBC from jail prior to her courtroom look, Ms Lee mentioned she had travelled from Bangkok to the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo to resume her Thai visa.

The former flight attendant arrived at Negombo Magistrate’s Court on Friday dressed in a white knee-length get dressed, her lengthy hair parted to the aspect.

She used to be creating a procedural courtroom look whilst the investigation into her alleged offences continues.

Ms Lee used to be held in a mobile behind the court docket prior to being delivered to the witness field. She used to be visibly disillusioned as she stood together with her fingers crossed in the back of her again, dealing with the Justice of the Peace.

Authorities wheeled in a big brown field containing the alleged 46kg of hashish present in Ms Lee’s baggage.

The narcotics department of the Sri Lanka police informed the courtroom they intend to report an replace at the investigation.

Ms Lee’s attorney, Sampath Perera, requested if the alleged medicine were tested by means of the related executive government to determine if the fabrics have been actually an unlawful substance.

The Justice of the Peace ordered it to be examined and for a report back to be submitted to the courtroom once imaginable.

Speaking to the BBC from a jail an hour outdoor of Colombo, Ms Lee looked to be in just right spirits.

She described her residing stipulations, pronouncing she stocks a mobile with 5 different girls and sleeps on a skinny bed at the concrete flooring, the use of no matter garments she has as a pillow.

That is the place she spends maximum of her day, she mentioned, even supposing she does get to move outdoor for contemporary air.

“I can’t compare it to anything,” she mentioned. “I have never been to prison and I’ve never been to Sri Lanka. This heat and just sitting on a concrete floor all of the time.”

Ms Lee mentioned she tries to not stay an excessive amount of on her present dilemma.

“I am not trying to think about it. If I think, then I feel bad. I’ll still rather not process it.”

Ms Lee mentioned she is worried for the opposite girls who’re additionally in jail.

“There are people from so many different countries who have been here for two years, two-and-a-half years. And it’s still just waiting and no-one actually knows anything.”

She has controlled to search out different English-speaking girls with whom she has evolved a kinship. But she has no longer been in a position to talk together with her circle of relatives since her arrest.

Speaking to the BBC from outdoor the courthouse after the listening to, Mr Perera mentioned the next move is to make a bail utility for Ms Lee, which might take 3 months.

Under Sri Lankan legislation, folks being hung on remand will have to seem prior to a pass judgement on each 14 days.

Ms Lee is being hung on suspicion of retaining unlawful medicine in her ownership and drug smuggling. Her subsequent courtroom look can be on 13 July.

Additional reporting by means of Charlotte Scarr