Bella May Culley, 18, was arrested in Georgia on suspicion of drug offences, with her family now claiming she flew to Thailand to meet with a mystery man following a string of loved up social media posts
A teenager is languishing in a foreign jail after allegedly attempting to smuggle over 14kg of cannabis and hashish across the border – but questions remain as to how the young woman got herself into this situation.
Bella May Culley, from County Durham, was stopped at the airport in Tbilisi, Georgia, after police allegedly discovered the drugs in her suitcase. Since then, the 18-year-old, who claims to be pregnant, has appeared in front of a court charged by police with illegally buying, possessing and importing large quantities of narcotics.
Speaking to The Mirror, her grandfather William Culley, 80, said she “went to see some lad out there”. He adds: “She went to the Philippines to see somebody, a lad there, who she used to go out with a couple of years ago, who was working out there. She said, ‘I’m going on my own, but I’m meeting Ross out there’. Or Russ, I’m not sure what his name is. He was working out there for his father’s company or something – but now I wonder if what she told me was true.”
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A British Foreign Office spokesperson confirmed that the teen had been detained and that they were supporting her family, who have rubbished any notion that she is a drug trafficker. Prior to her arrest, the nursing student’s TikTok activity, where she flaunted a lavish lifestyle and wads of cash, rang alarm bells before her disappearance from Thailand.
Social media sleuths have been quick to unearth some of her videos while travelling across Thailand and Asia, which seemed to hint at a mystery lover. Here we take a look at some of the clues that Bella was potentially travelling with someone else prior to her arrest.
‘Bonnie and Clyde’ references
Bella likened herself to Bonnie from the infamous criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde, posting about engaging in “criminal activities side by side” and “making heavy figures.” In one video, she posted a clip of herself alongside the caption: “Blonde or brunette? Erm how about we get up to criminal activities side by side like Bonnie n Clyde making heavy figures and f****** on balconies all over the world.”
Another video is captioned: “Don’t care if we on the run baby as long as I’m next to u.” But Bella’s male companion’s face never appears in the posts and he is never tagged.
‘Love’ claim
According to the Mail Online, one source claimed Bella had “flown out for love” and that was the reason behind her travels.
“She said that she was in love and that love was the reason she flew out to the Far East,” the reported source close to her legal case claimed. Her male companion remains unidentified, but her granddad has also hinted her secret lover could be part of the growing scandal.
Smoking ‘cannabis’ on camera
Bella was also seen smoking what appeared to be cannabis while riding in the back of a car – though it’s not clear who was driving the vehicle. The aspiring nurse could face 20 years in an overcrowded former Soviet prison or even a life sentence, the country’s Interior Ministry said.
Taking the stand last Wednesday, she told the court she was pregnant before adding she would reserve the right to remain silent. She is said to be “confused and terrified”.
Association with ‘Russ’
Bella reportedly mentioned meeting a man named “Russ” or “Ross” during her travels in the Philippines. This individual remains unidentified, but authorities are investigating his potential connection to Bella’s subsequent activities
The backpacker’s social media went on to show her clearly in the company of a male stranger – but he was never clearly pictured or named. Video clips and snaps show the bubbly student holding onto a man as she rides pillion on a scooter and another shows her smoking a cannabis spliff.
‘Drug runners’
Bella’s TikTok content included references to drug culture and dealing, with captions and imagery that suggested involvement in illicit activities. These posts have become a focal point for authorities in understanding the events leading up to her arrest.
Bella’s social media activity, particularly on TikTok, provides a complex picture of her life leading up to her arrest. As investigations continue, these digital footprints may offer insights into the circumstances surrounding her case.
Out in Asia, evidence of her lavish lifestyle continued with videos of Bella partying, lounging on beaches, scuba diving and smoking in the back of a cars. Her mum previously said that Bella “doesn’t like the party lifestyle”, so it was even more of a shock to hear she was accused of a major drug smuggling operation.
A family friend of Bella has claimed the teenager was ‘completely exploited’ after falling in with British drug dealers while backpacking. They told the Mirror: “This is totally out of character for her – I know, because she’s a close friend of my daughter. She’s just a normal 18-year-old. She’s not some hardened criminal. I’ve known this girl for years, and it’s obvious to anyone who truly knows her that something’s not right here.”
They said Bella had met with some people in Thailand, and added: “I’d put money on them being drug runners.” They went on: “To then suddenly to go from Philippines and to Thailand seems strange to me. But she is a nice girl and I’ll say that to anyone. It’s totally out of character and I don’t know what’s happened.
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