Bella May Culley, an 18-year-old from Billingham, County Durham, is currently detained in Georgia after being arrested at Tbilisi International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle approximately 14 kilograms (30 pounds) of cannabis and hashish. The drugs were reportedly concealed in hermetically sealed packages within her luggage.
Culley, a student nurse, had been traveling through Southeast Asia, including Thailand and the Philippines, before arriving in Georgia. Her sudden disappearance during the trip led her family to report her missing. She later surfaced in Georgia, where authorities arrested her on serious drug charges.
During court proceedings, Culley claimed to be pregnant, stating she is expecting a child with a man she met in the Philippines, whom she described as her “love.” This man is suspected to have connections to a drug trafficking gang.
If found guilty, Culley faces a prison sentence ranging from 15 years to life under Georgian law. She is currently held in Women’s Penitentiary No. 5 in Rustavi.
Culley’s family, including her father in Vietnam and her aunt, are seeking visitation rights and have expressed concerns about her well-being. They have also warned the public about fake fundraising campaigns circulating online, emphasizing that they have not solicited financial help.
The UK Foreign Office is providing consular support, and British officials are involved in the case. Culley’s situation has drawn international attention, highlighting the severe consequences of drug offenses abroad and the complexities surrounding young individuals potentially exploited by criminal networks.
