TBILISI, GEORGIA — A 19-year-old British woman arrested in Georgia after involvement in Western drug smuggling from Thailand could soon walk free if her family pays a substantial fine. The case is part of a growing trend of Western tourists being caught attempting to traffic drugs out of Thailand, often facing life-changing consequences.
Bella Culley, from Teesside in northern England, was detained in May when she landed at Tbilisi International Airport with approximately 14 kilograms (31 lbs) of cannabis hidden in her luggage. Georgian authorities estimate the drugs had a street value of around £200,000 (about 9 million baht).
Culley, who is pregnant, claims she was coerced by a Thai criminal gang. She alleges she was burned with a hot iron and shown a beheading video to pressure her into transporting the narcotics.
Plea Bargain Talks in Georgia Over Western Drug Smuggling from Thailand
Her trial, scheduled to begin this week, was postponed after last-minute plea bargain negotiations between her legal team and state prosecutors. Judge Giorgi Gelashvili acknowledged “ongoing success in negotiations” and said the court was prepared to reschedule once an agreement is finalized.
Defense lawyer Malkhaz Salakaia explained that prosecutors have given the family two options:
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Immediate release if the full financial penalty is paid.
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A reduced sentence if a smaller sum is paid.
“If her family is ready to pay the sum that the state is demanding, she can go straight to the airport,” Salakaia told reporters.
Culley’s mother, Lyanne Kennedy, who traveled to Georgia to support her daughter, said the amount requested was “a lot of money” and left the family facing a difficult decision.
In Court
Culley appeared calm during the proceedings, dressed in a black T-shirt with her hair tied back, occasionally smiling toward her mother. Other family members, including her aunt and grandfather, were present in the courtroom.
Her lawyer requested bail of 50,000 Georgian lari (about £13,750 or 640,000 baht), citing Culley’s pregnancy, but the court rejected the application. Judge Gelashvili emphasized concern for both her health and that of her unborn child, while encouraging both sides to continue negotiations. The case has been adjourned until October 9, though her lawyer suggested an agreement could be reached before that date.
Broader Context
Culley’s arrest comes amid a series of cases involving Western nationals attempting to move drugs out of Thailand. Recent examples include:
Australian woman: In 2023, a 35-year-old Sydney woman was arrested after heroin was found sewn into silk table runners sent from Thailand. She faces life imprisonment if convicted. https://www.afp.gov.au
British man: A 33-year-old British man was arrested in 2023 at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok with cocaine hidden in his clothing. He is awaiting trial in Thailand. itv.com
European tourists: Several European tourists have been jailed in recent years for attempting to traffic methamphetamine and cannabis resin through Thailand’s airports.
Thailand imposes some of the harshest penalties in the world for drug smuggling. Convictions often result in decades-long prison sentences, and in severe cases, the death penalty remains a legal possibility. Despite the risks, criminal networks continue to exploit vulnerable travelers as couriers.
Conclusion
Whether Bella Culley walks free or serves a reduced sentence depends on her family’s ability to meet the financial terms demanded by Georgian prosecutors. Her case highlights both the dangers of drug smuggling in the region and the high-stakes negotiations that can determine a defendant’sfate in Georgia’s courts.
