British Teenager Missing in Thailand Found Arrested in Georgia on Drug Charges

British teenager Bella May Culley, 18, missing from Thailand, has been arrested in Georgia on drug charges after being found with 14 kilograms of cannabis. Her family reported her missing when she failed to contact them, raising concerns and prompting international searches. Her arrest has sparked outrage and confusion within her community.

The British teenager, Bella May Culley, 18, has been found 6,500 kilometers from Thailand, where she went missing. Unfortunately, she has been arrested in Georgia, a former Soviet state, on drug-related charges. Reports indicate that Bella was last heard from while she was in Bangkok, where she usually communicated regularly with her family. However, she missed a scheduled call last Saturday, prompting her family to report her as missing soon after.

Her father and aunt quickly flew to the Thai capital to assist law enforcement with the search for Bella, but overnight came a shocking announcement from police in Georgia. She had been detained due to security concerns at the Tbilisi International Airport. Surveillance footage has surfaced showing her, in handcuffs, being escorted through the Central Criminal Police Department in Tbilisi, raising concerns over her well-being.

The circumstances surrounding Bella’s situation continue to unfold. Local law enforcement indicates that she was apprehended with a substantial amount of drugs—14 kilograms of cannabis reportedly found in her luggage, concealed in what was described as “34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana and 20 packages of hashish.” Her arrest means she has been denied bail due to being deemed a flight risk; now, if convicted, she could potentially face up to two decades behind bars.

Just a few days prior, Bella’s mother, Lyanne, shared her daughter’s travel itinerary, noting that Bella traveled to the Philippines after Easter, staying there for three weeks before arriving in Thailand on May 3. Lyanne recalled that Bella had been active on social media, posting pictures until her last message, which was sent to her mother at 5:30 PM on Saturday, indicating she would FaceTime later. This lack of communication stirred anxiety amongst her family.

In an earlier interview, Lyanne expressed despair over messages sent via WhatsApp being undelivered, requesting to hear from her daughter, reflecting the family’s growing distress. The British government also made efforts to assist, collaborating with diplomatic personnel in Thailand to provide support for the Culley family as they sought to locate Bella.

Amidst these developments, reports surfaced that Bella may have been in Pattaya, a city around 150 kilometers from Bangkok, further complicating the search. As these developments emerged, Cleveland police, near Bella’s hometown in Teesside, confirmed her arrest in Georgia, stating she is currently in custody.

Reactions on social media from Bella’s community reflect a mix of shock and anger following the news of her arrest. Many expressed their disbelief and some criticized her choices, suggesting that she should have been more aware of the laws abroad. As the family continues to process this distressing and unexpected twist, they have not yet released a public statement regarding these developments.

In conclusion, Bella May Culley’s sudden disappearance while holidaying in Thailand has taken a drastic turn, leading to her arrest in Georgia on serious drug charges. Awareness surrounding the impact of international travel laws has become heightened, as her family navigates this harrowing ordeal. The situation remains fluid, with many questioning the circumstances that led to her arrest, and the response from her community expresses a complex blend of concern and criticism.

Original Source: www.news.com.au