An 18-year-old British woman who vanished while travelling in Thailand has reappeared in a Georgian prison facing decades behind bars for drug smuggling.
Bella May Culley was reported missing by her family after failing to make a planned call during her backpacking trip. She had flown to the Philippines over Easter with a friend before travelling on to Thailand in early May. But on May 14, she was found thousands of miles away in Georgia, being held in Tbilisi’s only women’s prison on suspicion of attempting to smuggle large quantities of cannabis and hashish.
Last message home before disappearance
Speaking to local media, Bella’s mother Lyanne described the final message she received before her daughter vanished: “The last message she sent me was on Saturday at 5.30pm saying she was going to FaceTime me later. That was the last message anyone has received, as far as we know.”
The teenager was later filmed in handcuffs as she was led into a police station in Tbilisi. Authorities allege she was caught at the airport with 34 sealed packages of marijuana and 20 packets of hashish in her luggage.
‘I just want her safe’
Lyanne said Bella had been enjoying her trip and posting pictures online before all contact stopped. “I’m just waiting on her dad who is now in Bangkok to get back with any more information. I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice.”
The shock discovery left her family stunned, as they had no idea she had travelled to Georgia. Cleveland Police later confirmed her arrest and said she remained in custody while investigations continued.
Facing harsh prison conditions abroad
If convicted, Bella could face a lengthy sentence in Tbilisi Prison No.5, a facility known for overcrowding and poor conditions. The UK Foreign Office has confirmed consular support is being offered to her family but has warned it cannot intervene with local judicial processes.
During a court hearing, Bella reportedly chose not to answer any questions and revealed she is pregnant. Her lawyer said she is “terrified and confused”.
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who is detained in Georgia and are in contact with the local authorities.”
An investigation into how and why Bella travelled to Georgia is ongoing.
