In a shocking revelation from behind bars, 19-year-old Bella Culley has detailed the grim reality of life in a Colombian prison, where the British teenager resorts to using a candle to toast bread after being caught attempting to smuggle £250,000 worth of cocaine.
From Essex to El Dorado Airport: A Costly Mistake
The teenager from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, now faces up to eight years in prison after authorities at Bogotá's El Dorado Airport discovered 5kg of cocaine hidden in her luggage. Culley, who had travelled to South America with dreams of adventure, instead found herself trapped in a nightmare scenario.
"I toast bread with a candle because we're not allowed any cooking equipment," Culley disclosed in a heartbreaking interview from her prison cell. "The conditions here are unimaginable - we have to wash our clothes in the shower and hang them to dry in our cells."
Desperate Conditions in South American Prison
The young woman's account paints a disturbing picture of life inside the correctional facility:
- Inmates forced to use open flames for basic food preparation
- Limited access to proper cooking facilities
- Poor sanitation and inadequate living conditions
- Overcrowded cells serving as makeshift drying rooms
Culley's case has drawn attention to the harsh realities facing foreign nationals in South American prisons, particularly young people caught in drug smuggling operations.
A Warning to Other Young Travellers
Foreign Office officials have reiterated their warnings about the severe consequences of drug trafficking in Colombia. "British nationals should be aware that penalties for drug offences in Colombia are severe and prison conditions are extremely challenging," a spokesperson stated.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers facing young travellers abroad and the devastating consequences of becoming involved with international drug cartels.
