A Georgian court has ruled to keep British teenager Bella May Culley in custody as she faces serious drug smuggling charges, a decision that prolongs her detention ahead of a trial set for early September.
The 19-year-old, arrested in May upon arriving at Tbilisi International Airport, is accused of attempting to smuggle a significant quantity of drugs into Georgia. Authorities say Culley was carrying 12 kilograms (26.4 pounds) of marijuana and 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of hashish concealed in her luggage, which she brought from Thailand. If convicted, she could face a sentence ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment.
During the hearing on July 24, 2025, held in the Georgian capital, Culley pleaded not guilty and made a heartfelt appeal to the court. “I hope you understand my story through my eyes. I never thought something like this would happen to me,” she told the judge. Her lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, argued that there was no evidence of Culley's intention to break the law and claimed that she was forced to carry the drugs unknowingly. Salakaia further revealed that Culley had visible physical signs of torture upon her arrival in Georgia, which she alleges occurred in Thailand before the luggage was handled by others.
"The torture occurred before the transportation of the luggage, which she never touched. Specific individuals handled and checked in her luggage," Salakaia said, emphasizing that Culley was a victim rather than a willing participant in the smuggling operation.
Culley’s family has been actively involved in her case. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, attended the court hearing and was visibly emotional upon learning that her daughter is pregnant with a baby boy. The teenager, who turned 19 in June 2025, is currently receiving medical care from the prison’s medical team. Kennedy reportedly exchanged tender moments with her daughter during the hearing, telling her, “I’ll come and see you tomorrow, I love you.”
The court’s decision to keep Culley in custody was based on the absence of new evidence that might justify her release. Despite a plea agreement proposal from her legal team, which included a payment of 50,000 Georgian lari (equivalent to more than £13,500) and assurances that Culley’s family would care for her, the judge ruled that she would remain detained until her trial begins on September 2, 2025.
Salakaia had requested Culley’s release, highlighting her pregnancy and the fact that the alleged crime was not connected to Georgia. He also pointed out that her family, including her father and now her mother, were present in the country to support her and that there was no risk of witness tampering since police and officials were involved in the investigation.
The case has attracted attention not only because of the serious charges but also due to Culley’s notable family background. She is the great-granddaughter of Frank Cook, a former Labour Member of Parliament who represented Stockton North for 27 years and served as a deputy speaker of the House of Commons before his death in January 2012.
Local police in Georgia confirmed the seizure of the drugs at Tbilisi International Airport, marking the case as one of significant scale. The Foreign Office has stated it is supporting the family of the detained British woman, while Cleveland police on Teesside confirmed that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham had been arrested in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences and remains in custody.
The ongoing investigation is also looking into possible accomplices involved in the smuggling operation. Georgian prosecutors have not ruled out further charges as they continue to unravel the circumstances surrounding the case.
Culley’s next court hearing is scheduled for September 2, 2025, when the trial will commence unless a plea deal is reached beforehand. Until then, she remains in detention, navigating the complexities of her legal battle while preparing to become a mother behind bars.
This case raises broader questions about the vulnerabilities of young travelers and the risks they may face abroad, especially when caught up in international drug trafficking networks. As the world watches, Culley’s story is a stark reminder of the human cost behind headline-grabbing drug smuggling cases.
