Nightmare Unfolds Thousands of Miles From Home
A 19‑year‑old British trainee nurse has found herself jailed in Georgia under the harsh glare of one brutal accusation—and now her future may hinge on her family’s ability to raise a staggering sum of money.
Arrest During Backpacking Trip
Bella May Culley, from Stockton‑on‑Tees, was arrested in May at Tbilisi International Airport after arriving on a flight from Thailand. Security officers discovered a suitcase containing cannabis and hashish valued at around £200,000. The teenager, who is now 22 weeks pregnant, pleaded not guilty and maintained that she had been coerced into carrying the items by a gang in Thailand. She claims the gang burned her with a hot iron, showed her a beheading video, and threatened her family if she didn’t comply.
Her bail request was denied, though the judge expressed concern for her unborn child’s well‑being and signalled that she could be released immediately if a plea‑deal involving a substantial financial settlement was finalised. A key court hearing is now expected in early October.
Family’s Plea and Financial Strain
Appearing outside court flanked by her household belongings and visibly emotional, Bella’s mother admitted the fee demanded was “a lot of money” for the family. Her lawyer has said that the higher the payment, the shorter—or even nonexistent—the prison term could be. The family reportedly live on modest means, and the sum remains elusive.
Embassy Visits Called Into Question
Her lawyer also criticised the lack of support from the British embassy, stating that Bella has only been visited once since her arrest and that assurances about her welfare are sparse. This has added to the family’s distress as they scramble to manage both legal costs and her urgent medical needs in custody.
Warning Sign for Young Travellers
Bella’s ordeal is part of a troubling pattern of vulnerable young Brits being targeted abroad. Criminals appear to be exploiting social media and promising fast cash to lure young women into dangerous schemes. Author and former drug mule Michaella McCollum, known as one of the “Peru Two,” has warned of the dangers—and the horrifying prison conditions—that young women like Bella may soon be facing if accused or convicted abroad.
