BRITISH teen Bella Culley’s disappearance in Thailand and subsequent arrest in Georgia on drug trafficking charges has drawn international attention.
She could spend the rest of her life in a brutal former Soviet prison if convicted — here’s everything you need to know.
FacebookBella Culley’s social media accounts show her enjoying activities such as kayaking and snorkelling[/caption]
@bellamay.xx / tiktokBut she can also be seen smoking[/caption]
@bellamay.xx/TikTokAnd boasting about wads of cash[/caption]
Who is Bella Culley?
Bella May Culley is an 18-year-old woman from Billingham, County Durham.
She recently completed an access course at Middlesbrough College with the hopes of becoming a nurse — but first wanted to go travelling.
In April 2025, she set with her friend on her dream holiday to the Philippines, but decided to ditch her pal and take a spontaneous trip to Thailand on her own on May 3.
Her social media presence depicted an adventurous lifestyle, with photos from tropical destinations showcasing activities such as snorkelling and kayaking.
But her posts from the trip also show her posing with huge wads of cash and smoking.
Disappearance and arrest
On May 10, Bella lost contact with her parents, sparking fears she had been abducted, but the next thing they knew, she was in handcuffs in Georgia.
Georgian police say they found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage after they apprehended her at Tbilisi International Airport.
Bella’s family had no idea she had even left Thailand and were shocked to learn of her arrest in a different continent.
If found guilty, the Interior Ministry say she could be sent down for 20 years — or even life.
Appearing in court, Culley did not answer the judge’s questions regarding drugs allegations, per Georgian TV outlet Rustavi 2.
The news network also said in a text report that Culley told the Tbilisi court that she was “pregnant”.
Company directorships
Meanwhile, mystery surrounds a string of company directorships Bella appears to hold — despite being described as a “normal student” and her family and friends being none the wiser about them.
Records show apparent links to the Far East, with Bella listed as the director of at least two companies with Chinese ties.
She is also listed as the boss of a firm called Lujamen Limited, whose business is described as “agents specialised in the sale of other particular products”.
I really didn’t want her to go to Thailand. I begged her to come home. I don’t trust some of the boys over there
Bella’s mum Lyanne Kennedy
She was appointed on September 11, 2024, on the same day previous director Lu Jiamen, 30, from the Guangdong province of China, stepped down.
Another listing shows Bella was registered as director of Sunrain Limited — described as “retail sale via mail order houses or via internet”.
Family reaction
On may 14, her dad Neil Culley, who lives in Vietnam — where he works off-shore — flew to Eastern Europe to be by his daughter’s side in Georgia.
Bella’s mum Lyanne Kennedy told The Sun: “Her dad lives in Vietnam, so she’s always wanted to see Asia.
“She loves all the touristy stuff, like releasing turtles.”
She added: “I really didn’t want her to go to Thailand. I begged her to come home. I don’t trust some of the boys over there.
“But she wanted to meet up with some friends she made over there on a previous trip. I don’t know who any of them are.”
While Bella’s grandfather said: “I’m terrified that she’s in for a long sentence. I might never see her again — I’m 80 years old.
East2WestGeorgian police say they found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage after they apprehended her at Tbilisi International Airport[/caption]
“She’s got sucked into something, somehow. She’s not an international drug trafficker.
“It’s all just very strange and at the moment we just don’t have any answers. We don’t know what to think.”
He said his granddaughter was “intelligent” and “not daft” and would not knowingly have involved herself with drugs.
“She was on holiday with some friends, doing what 18-year-olds do – drinking and dancing. They must have met somebody who’s taken advantage of her.”
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