A UK teenager from Teesside is facing the possibility of life behind bars after being arrested in Georgia on serious drug trafficking charges.
Bella Culley, 18, from Billingham, was detained by Georgian authorities upon arrival at Tbilisi International Airport, where officers allegedly discovered over 12kg of marijuana and more than 2kg of hashish hidden in her luggage. Officials say the arrest followed a coordinated operation between multiple security agencies.
The young woman, who had recently gone missing while in Thailand, has now been charged with the illegal purchase, possession, and importation of substantial quantities of narcotics. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison or life.
Culley appeared at a preliminary court hearing earlier this week but chose to remain silent. According to her state-appointed lawyer, Ia Todua, the teenager has been transferred to an all-female pre-trial detention facility in the city of Rustavi.
“She was extremely tense. In my opinion, she is just a child,” Ms Todua stated. “When the charges were explained to her, she was too overwhelmed to speak and decided to remain silent.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to Culley’s family.
Footage released by Georgian police shows the teenager in handcuffs, dressed in white clothing and escorted by a female officer. Her identity has been blurred in line with local privacy protocols.
Culley was officially charged on Monday with multiple offences relating to the illegal acquisition and importation of drugs into Georgian territory.
Cleveland Police have acknowledged her arrest, stating that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham remains in custody abroad on suspicion of drug-related offences.
