What started as an adventurous backpacking trip for 18-year-old Bella May Culley has taken a devastating turn.
The teen, originally from Billingham in Country Durham, is now facing a possible life sentence in Georgia after she was allegedly caught smuggling a staggering 14 kilograms of cannabis into the country.
Bella was arrested earlier this week at Tbilisi International Airport—thousands of miles from where her family believed she was traveling.
According to her lawyer, she was confused, emotional, and visibly shaken when told the serious nature of the charges against her.
A Shocking Arrest at the Airport
Authorities in Georgia say they found 12kg of cannabis and 2kg of hashish—worth around £200,000—in Bella’s luggage.
She had arrived on a flight from Sharjah in the UAE, and customs officers flagged her bag during an X-ray inspection.
The narcotics were discovered in her hold luggage, while her carry-on reportedly contained only clothes.
Zurab Tatunashvili, a senior customs officer, shared how her bag was tagged for further inspection before the drugs were discovered in a secure room, in her presence.
“She Didn’t Know What She Was Doing,” Says Her Lawyer
Bella’s court-appointed lawyer, Ia Todua, described the teen as being in “an emotional state” when she was informed about the severity of the accusations.
“When I explained to her that what she was accused of was a very serious crime, she was visibly shaken,” Todua told the press.
“She looked like she didn’t expect it to have such severe consequences.
My impression is that she ended up in Georgia without even realizing what was happening.”
Facing a Harsh Reality Behind Bars
If convicted, Bella could face a minimum of 15 years in prison, and potentially life.
For now, she is being held at the notorious Women’s Colony Number 5 on the outskirts of Tbilisi while investigations continue.
She is officially detained until July 1, but prosecutors have asked for 55 days to collect evidence—which could be extended by up to seven more months.
During this time, Bella could remain in the facility for up to nine months before her case even reaches trial.
Family Left in the Dark and Desperate to See Her
Bella’s family is scrambling to make sense of the situation.
Her father, Niel Culley, 49, and her aunt, Kerrie Culley, 51, flew to Tbilisi on Wednesday in hopes of seeing her.
But due to paperwork issues, they’ve repeatedly been denied access.
They’ve been in contact with the British Embassy but remain heartbroken that they haven’t been allowed a visit.
“They said they’d call me after seeing her, but I haven’t heard a thing,” said Bella’s grandfather, William Culley.
“It’s just heartbreaking. The poor bairn must be at her wits’ end.”
Bella has reportedly written to officials requesting permission for her father to visit her.
While there is a provision for short-term visits without a glass partition, the approval process can take up to five days.
A Mysterious Companion and Troubling Social Media Posts
Before her arrest, Bella had been posting snapshots of her travels in Southeast Asia, showing a carefree lifestyle—riding on motorbikes, lounging on beaches, and referencing outlaws Bonnie and Clyde in romanticized captions.
In one TikTok, she wrote: “Don’t care if we on the run baby as long as I’m next to u.”
Many of these posts showed her with a mysterious male companion who was never clearly identified.
Family members now wonder about his influence and the path Bella may have been led down.
A Twist Involving a Man From Her Past
Bella’s grandfather revealed that before arriving in Thailand, she had visited the Philippines to meet a man she once dated—known only as “Ross or Russ.”
According to Bella, he was working out there for his father’s company.
“She said she was going on her own but meeting Ross out there,” Mr. Culley said.
“But now I wonder if what she told me was even true.”
The family is now questioning everything, including whether Bella may have been manipulated or coerced by people she trusted.
Claims of Exploitation and a Pregnancy Bombshell
A friend of Bella’s family told the press they believe she was “completely exploited” by drug dealers she met during her travels.
“There was a lad from Darlington she was with. I know he’s a drug runner,” the friend said.
“She’s not some hardened criminal. She’s just a normal 18-year-old girl.”
In court, Bella claimed she was pregnant—something her father reportedly only found out about through her lawyer.
Her legal team says this could be a factor for mitigation if she pleads guilty and cooperates with the investigation.
Silence as a Legal Strategy
So far, Bella has exercised her right to remain silent.
Her lawyer explained that, due to the foreign environment and the stress of the situation, she has not yet explained how the drugs ended up in her luggage. Her family, too, has been left in the dark.
Radio Free Europe quoted her lawyer saying, “We agreed she should exercise her right to remain silent to give her time to understand the situation and prepare.”
Law enforcement is expected to contact her in the coming days for further questioning.
Legal Process Still Unfolding
As the legal case unfolds, Bella’s family is in contact with the British Embassy in Tbilisi, which has confirmed it’s providing consular assistance.
A separate legal team may also be brought in, depending on how the case develops.
The Georgian authorities have yet to reveal which country Bella entered from or whether Georgia was her intended final destination.
Her travel itinerary shows she flew in from Thailand, and her lawyer believes she had plans to stay in Georgia for some time.
What Happens Next for Bella Culley?
With investigations ongoing and her court date still months away, Bella faces a long and uncertain road ahead.
Her fate now rests with the Georgian legal system, and her family is doing everything they can to offer support from the sidelines.
Her story serves as a chilling reminder of how quickly youthful wanderlust can spiral into a life-altering legal crisis—and how one decision, or one person’s influence, can change everything.