‘Naivety and monetary desperation’ – why Brits danger all of it to be drug mules

EXCLUSIVE: What makes an ordinary Brit decide to risk everything? Their jobs, their freedom, even their lives – and all for the promise of quick cash from gangsters they might never meet

Of the Brits being held overseas on suspicion of drug smuggling, very few look like hardened criminals. Many, like pregnant teen Bella May Culley, are young people from loving families.

But all are now facing an uncertain future. In most countries, a drug trafficking conviction means decades in prison – and in places like Indonesia, you could even be executed.

And to the ruthless criminals pulling the strings, you’d just be collateral damage. According to author and drugs expert Harry Shapiro, narcotics gangs target the most vulnerable travellers.

“Organized crime networks increasingly recruit low-risk ‘mules’”, he says. “Young people, single mothers, or those with clean records.

“British nationals, especially women, have been lured with offers of free travel, job opportunities, or cash incentives, then coerced or tricked into carrying drugs.”

In the wake of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis, he says gangsters are looking to exploit “naivety and financial desperation”. Unfortunately, having been duped might not stop you from getting convicted.

Many countries have zero-tolerance drug laws, including Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates and much of the Middle and Far East. But it’s still not enough to put some people off.

“Many don’t realise being misled doesn’t always protect them legally,” says Harry. “There’s a lack of education and warnings about how serious the consequences are abroad.”

In the last few years, cannabis smuggling alone has skyrocketed all over the world. A whopping 27 tonnes of the drug were seized at UK airports in 2024, compared to just two tonnes in 2022.

Harry blames countries like Thailand and Mexico for legalising cannabis production, effectively creating a new supply chain.

He explains: “Traffickers use British nationals to courier cannabis products into stricter countries, where it remains illegal and harshly punished.

“In 2024, two-thirds of arrested UK smugglers were coming from Thailand, often with stops in countries like Sri Lanka or Georgia.”

Charlotte May Lee – Sri Lanka

Charlotte was arrested last month at Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Police had allegedly found 46kg of synthetic cannabis, worth £1.2million, in her luggage.

The ex-flight attendant, from Coulsdon, South London, has not been charged with an offence. She has denied all knowledge of the drugs, saying they must have been planted without her knowledge.

Lee, 21, is being held in prison in Negombo, Sri Lanka, on suspicion of keeping illegal drugs in her possession and drug smuggling. If found guilty, she could face up to 25 years behind bars. Her next court appearance will be on July 13.

Bella May Culley – Georgia

Bella sparked an international search effort last month when she went missing while travelling in Thailand. It finally emerged she was being held 4,000 miles away in Tbilisi, Georgia, on suspicion of drug trafficking.

The 18-year-old, from Billingham, Teeside, has been charged with importing 12kg of marijuana and 2kg of hashish into the country. During a pre-trial hearing on May 13, she told the court she is pregnant.

Culley is now being held in the eastern European state’s notorious Penitentiary No. 5 while prosecutors probe how she allegedly came to have the £200,000 stash. If convicted she faces 15 years to life in prison.

William “Billy Boy” Eastment – Chile

Pensioner William was arrested last month at Santiago International Airport in Chile. Customs officers had allegedly found more than 5kg of methamphetamine, worth £200,000, hidden in the false bottom of a suitcase.

The bowls-loving 79-year-old, from Milborne Port, Somerset, had arrived on a flight from Cancun, Mexico. Investigators say they believe he may have been acting on instructions from criminals based in Brazil and the US.

Eastment is being held in pre-trial detention for up to 120 days while Chilean prosecutors investigate the alleged offence. If charged and convicted, he could face 15 years in prison.

East Sussex trio – Indonesia

Three Brits accused of smuggling nearly £300,000 worth of cocaine into Indonesia could now face the death penalty if found guilty.

Couple Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, were arrested at Ngurah Rai International Airport in February. They had allegedly hidden almost a kilo of coke in their luggage, disguised as sachets of Angel Delight.

They are currently on trial in Bali for drug smuggling offences while alleged associate Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, is being tried separately. He is accused of having received the packages of drugs in a police sting operation.

If convicted all three defendants, from Hastings and St Leonards in East Sussex, could be executed by firing squad. The trial continues.