A British teenager who was initially reported missing while traveling in Thailand was later found to have been arrested in Georgia over drug offenses.
The 18-year-old, identified as Bella May Culley, was last seen in Pattaya, a city found in the eastern parts of Thailand. It was revealed on Tuesday that she was arrested by officials thousands of miles away in the Caucasus region.
British Teen Arrested in Georgia Over Drug Offenses
In a statement, Cleveland Police said that they were informed by the Georgian authorities that Culley was taken into custody on suspicion of drug offenses. Video footage shared by broadcasters in Georgia seemed to show the British teenager walking into court in handcuffs.
Local media reports noted that customs officers at Georgia's Tbilisi International Airport found her bag full of drugs. A video also showed a suitcase that was filled with these substances, including dozens of sachets that were labeled "hash."
Culley's lawyer has already requested bail for the teenager but the judge in the case denied it after the prosecutor raised concerns about her absconding. If the defendant is found guilty of the crimes against her, she faces up to 20 years up to life of imprisonment, according to Yahoo News.
The teenage girl's family, who is from Billingham, Co Durham, had previously appealed to the public for any information about Culley's whereabouts. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, said that her daughter previously traveled around the Philippines in April before heading to Thailand in May.
In an interview, she said that Culley flew out to the Philippines after Easter alongside a friend and stayed in the country for three weeks. The mother added that the British teenager posted a ton of pictures before flying to Thailand on May 3.
Initially Reported Missing in Thailand
The 18-year-old appeared at a court in the capital city of Georgia for a hearing on pre-trial detention on Tuesday. Georgia media outlets added that the suspect claimed she was pregnant but refused to answer the judge when asked about the drug allegations against her, Sky News reported.
Ia Todua was the one appointed to represent the British teenager in court and said that Culley was "so clenched" and was still "a child." The lawyer added that when the defendant explained the nature of the charges against her, she was worried to speak.
When the teenage girl was initially reported missing, her father and aunt flew to Bangkok to try and get more information about her whereabouts. After her reported arrest, the father, Neil Culley, is now redirecting to Tbilisi, as per the Independent.
