UK teen faces 20 years in Georgian prison for drug charges
Eighteen-year-old Bella May Culley from the United Kingdom was arrested in Tbilisi, Georgia, and charged with drug smuggling. The teenager could face up to 20 years in a Georgian prison. Bella's father, Niel Culley, flew to Georgia to support his daughter. "I will be here for as long as it takes," he declared during a conversation with the media.
British teenager, Bella May Culley, was spending her vacation in Asia. During this time, she maintained constant contact with her family. Everything changed on May 3rd when she disappeared without a trace. Her concerned family, who had been out of touch with Bella for four days, reported her missing.
Intensive searches began and led to a surprising outcome. Bella was found in a Georgian detention center—almost 3,700 miles from Thailand, where she was supposed to be. It turned out she had been charged with drug-related offenses. According to media reports, 34 hermetically sealed packets of marijuana and 20 packets of hashish were discovered in her luggage.
The teenager's lawyer stated that her client, who is in a women's prison in Rustavi, "wants to come home." Bella requested to be provided with fruits and warmer clothes. During the interrogation, it was revealed that the 18-year-old is pregnant. She complained to her lawyer about not receiving medical assistance.
Returning home will not be simple. According to British media, the teenager faces up to 20 years in prison.
Father of the detained 18-year-old flew to Georgia
From the beginning, Bella's relatives fought for the opportunity to meet with her. According to "Daily Mail," the teenager's father, 49-year-old Niel Culley, is already in Georgia. He flew to the country's capital with his sister, Kerrie.
"I can't say anything but I will be here for as long as it takes. I obviously have no experience in dealing with situations like this and it’s very difficult," said Culley in an interview with "Daily Mail."
Currently, the police are trying to determine where the drugs originated and whether Bella planned to pass them on to someone else. Experts suggest that British tourists traveling with backpacks often fall victim to Thai cartels involved in drug smuggling.
Bella was traveling around Asia, staying in the Philippines and Thailand. She continuously shared her travels online.
The prison where Bella is held is controversial, and human rights organizations criticize the treatment of inmates there.
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it "is supporting the family of a British woman who is detained in Georgia."
