British Teen Missing in Thailand Found in Georgia, Faces Drug Smuggling Charges
May 15 , 2025
Tbilisi, Georgia — A British teenager who vanished while backpacking through Southeast Asia has been found in the most unexpected of places — not in Thailand or the Philippines where she was last seen, but 4,000 miles away in Georgia, where she now faces severe drug smuggling charges.
Bella May Culley, 18, from Billingham, County Durham, was reported missing earlier this month after losing contact with her family during her solo travels in Thailand. Her sudden silence alarmed loved ones, prompting a frantic international search.
Culley was last seen online on May 9, sharing images of her adventures across the Philippines and Thailand. Her journey appeared carefree — snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, exploring tropical caves, and marveling at sea turtles. But beneath the surface of her travel diaries, a far more complex and troubling story was unfolding.
This week, Culley reappeared in a courtroom in Tbilisi, Georgia’s capital, handcuffed and under police custody. She has been officially charged with trafficking a significant quantity of cannabis and hashish into the country — a crime that could lead to 20 years to life imprisonment under Georgian law.
From Palawan to Prison: A Journey Turned Nightmare
According to Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, Culley was apprehended at Tbilisi International Airport. Authorities allege she attempted to enter the country with 34 vacuum-sealed packages of marijuana and 20 packets of hashish.
“B.K., born in 2006, is charged with illegally purchasing, storing, and importing particularly large quantities of narcotic substances into Georgia. The crime carries a sentence of up to 20 years or life imprisonment.”
Local reports confirmed that Culley was traveling alone at the time of her arrest. It remains unclear how she ended up in Georgia or whether she had any known contacts in the region. Georgian officials have yet to release further details on her route or the origins of the narcotics.
Family in Shock as Search Turns into Legal Battle
Culley’s disappearance had triggered alarm in the UK. Her father, Neil Culley, and her aunt flew to Bangkok in hopes of finding her, only to discover that she was already in custody in Tbilisi. Neil is now reportedly traveling to Georgia.
Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, told local media that her daughter had flown to the Philippines in mid-April, shortly after Easter, for what was meant to be a relaxing getaway. She spent time on the islands of Palawan and Panay before heading solo to Thailand.
“She was posting loads of pictures,” Kennedy said. “I was worried when she didn’t check in, but I never imagined something like this.”
A Troubled Timeline
Bella Culley had just completed a course at Middlesbrough College, with dreams of becoming a nurse. A viral TikTok video posted on April 16 showed her reflecting on her travels, captioned:
“Needed a hug but instead made the biggest decision of my life and found peace in another country’s culture and way of life.”
But within weeks, that peaceful journey turned into an international legal crisis.
UK Government Responds
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirmed that a British national has been detained in Georgia and that they are providing consular support to her family. Cleveland Police also acknowledged her detention.
As of now, Culley remains in custody in Georgia, awaiting trial in a case that has captured international attention and left a family reeling.