Missing UK Teen Found Arrested in Georgia After Drug Bust at Tbilisi Airport

Victor Nwoko
5 hours ago
2 min read

Bella May Culley went missing in Thailand at the weekend. On Tuesday, it was revealed she was arrested thousands of miles away in Georgia

A British teenager who was previously reported missing during her travels in Southeast Asia has been located and arrested thousands of miles away in the country of Georgia, where she is now in custody on serious drug charges.

Bella May Culley, 18, from Billingham, County Durham, was last seen in Pattaya, Thailand, sparking concern among her family and prompting international efforts to locate her. However, on Tuesday, authorities confirmed that she had been detained in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, after customs officers at Tbilisi International Airport allegedly found a suitcase in her possession filled with illegal substances.

Bella May Culley had posted her trip online

Georgian officials informed Cleveland Police in the UK that Culley was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking offenses and remains in custody. Footage circulated by local media in Georgia showed the teenager being escorted into court in handcuffs. According to reports, her luggage contained multiple sachets labeled “hash” and other unidentified substances.

During her court appearance, Culley’s lawyer requested bail, but the judge denied the request after prosecutors raised concerns that she might flee. She is currently being held while the investigation continues, and if convicted, she could face a sentence ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment under Georgian drug laws.

Bella first travelled around the Philippines before going to Thailand, but has now been arrested in Georgia

The arrest followed a week-long search effort led by her family, who had grown increasingly concerned after losing contact with her. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, explained that Bella had flown to the Philippines after Easter for a three-week trip with a friend and later traveled to Thailand on May 3.

“She was posting loads of pictures and then she went to Thailand,” said Kennedy. “The last message she sent was to me on Saturday at 5:30 p.m., saying she was going to FaceTime me later. That was the last message anyone received from her.”

An image from Georgia shows what are alleged to be drugs

After her sudden silence, Bella’s father, Neil Culley, and her aunt, Kerrie Culley, traveled to Thailand to search for her, notifying both Thai and British authorities. Their search concluded with Tuesday’s confirmation that she had been arrested not in Southeast Asia, but in the Caucasus region of Georgia.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police stated: “We have had confirmation from the authorities in Georgia that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested there on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody.”