Bella May Culley, an 18-year-old British woman arrested in Georgia on suspicion of drug smuggling, is set for an emotional reunion with her father, but paperwork delays may prolong the wait. Niel Culley has flown to the country to see his daughter at the prison where she is being held, but a source indicated the meeting might not happen for days.
Culley, from Billingham, County Durham, was detained at Tbilisi International Airport after allegedly arriving from Thailand with about 12kg of cannabis and 2kg of hashish. She faces a potential life sentence if convicted. The teenager, who was thought to be missing in Thailand, told a court this week that she is pregnant.
Her state-assigned lawyer, Ia Todua, described Culley as “depressed, confused and scared.” Todua said Culley had exercised her right to remain silent due to the unfamiliar environment. Law enforcement is expected to contact her in a few days to discuss potential cooperation.
The British embassy in Tbilisi confirmed it is assisting the family and liaising with local authorities. Culley’s grandfather, William Culley, 80, expressed shock and fear over the situation, suggesting she had been taken advantage of. “She’s not an international drug trafficker,” he said.
