Missing UK Teen Found Arrested in Georgia on Drug Charges
Teesside teen Bella May Culley, initially believed missing in Thailand, located in Georgian custody
An 18-year-old British woman initially reported missing in Thailand has been found, under arrest in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences.
Bella May Culley, from Billingham, Teesside, was last believed to be in the Pattaya area of Thailand before losing contact with her family on Saturday. Concerned relatives, including her father, Neil Culley and aunt Kerrie Culley, flew out to Bangkok in a desperate attempt to find her.
Bella’s mother, Lyanne Kennedy, said her daughter had been travelling in Southeast Asia after flying to the Philippines just after Easter. The teenager had spent three weeks exploring the islands with a friend and is believed to have arrived in Thailand around May 3.
Her disappearance prompted an international appeal, with Cleveland Police launching an investigation and asking anyone with information to come forward.
Lyanne shared the last message she received from her daughter, sent at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday: “She said she was going to FaceTime me later. That was the last message anyone received.”
However, in a dramatic turn of events, authorities have confirmed Bella is in custody in the Eastern European country of Georgia.
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said:
“We have this afternoon had confirmation from the authorities in Georgia that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested there on suspicion of drug offences and that she remains in their custody.”
The revelation came as a shock to Bella’s family, who had been fearing the worst and actively searching for her across Thailand. “I just want her home and safe or to hear her gorgeous little voice,” Lyanne had said earlier in the week.
No further details have yet been released regarding the nature of the charges or the circumstances leading to Bella’s arrest in Georgia. British authorities are expected to coordinate with their counterparts overseas as the situation develops.
Cleveland Police continue to liaise with international agencies and have stated that enquiries are ongoing.
