Pregnant British Teen Faces Two-Year Prison Sentence in Georgia After £137,000 Plea Deal in Drug Smuggling Case
TBILISI, GEORGIA — A 19-year-old pregnant British woman accused of smuggling marijuana and hashish into Georgia could receive a two-year prison sentence after her family reportedly paid over £137,000 as part of a plea deal, her lawyer confirmed Tuesday.
Arrest and Charges at Tbilisi Airport
Bella May Culley, from Teesside, England, was arrested in May 2025 at Tbilisi International Airport after Georgian customs officials discovered 12 kilograms (26.4 pounds) of marijuana and 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) of hashish in her luggage.
Authorities accused her of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country — a crime that carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years or even life imprisonment under Georgian law.
Plea Bargain Nearing Completion
Culley’s lawyer, Malkhaz Salakhaia, told reporters that negotiations for a plea agreement are in their final stages.
“Reaching an agreement with the prosecutor’s office is in its final stage,” Salakhaia said. “All the conditions under which a plea agreement will be concluded are known to my client and her family members. Only the technical issues remain to be finalized.”
According to Salakhaia, the plea deal could reduce Culley’s sentence to two years — a significant decrease from the original charges. The final decision is expected to be announced on Monday, with the possibility of a presidential pardon still on the table.
Family Pays £137,800 to Secure Deal
Culley’s mother, Lyanne Kennedy, confirmed that the family has already paid 500,000 Georgian lari, equivalent to about £137,800, as part of the financial component of the plea agreement.
Georgia’s judicial system allows financial settlements in certain cases, including drug offenses, to reduce or eliminate prison sentences. These agreements, though controversial, are common in cases involving foreign nationals.
Background: From Thailand to Georgia
Before her arrest in Georgia, Culley had been reported missing in Thailand. She later claimed she had been tortured and forced to carry drugs before arriving in Tbilisi.
Her lawyer said Culley showed visible signs of physical abuse when she arrived in Georgia and has maintained her innocence, insisting she was a victim of coercion.
“Bella pleaded not guilty after her arrest, stating that she was tortured in Thailand and forced to transport the drugs,” Salakhaia told reporters.
Awaiting Final Verdict
The court is expected to issue a final verdict next week, which will determine whether Culley serves time or could be granted clemency.
If convicted, her lawyer said she might still be eligible for a presidential pardon, particularly given her pregnancy and alleged mistreatment abroad.
The case has drawn attention both in the United Kingdom and Georgia, sparking debate over the country’s strict drug laws and use of plea bargains involving monetary settlements.
