Picture courtesy of Chronicle Live

 

A British teenager, Bella May Culley, is at the centre of an international controversy after being accused of smuggling cannabis into Georgia. The 19-year-old broke down in a Tbilisi courtroom, claiming she was tortured and forced to carry drugs. Thai officials quickly dismissed her account as fictitious.

 

Culley, from Billingham in North-East England, was arrested earlier this year in Georgia for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14 kilogrammes of cannabis and hashish. This serious accusation could result in a life sentence. In court, she painted a harrowing picture of being coerced by a criminal gang in Thailand, alleging she was tortured with a hot iron.

 

However, police in Thailand refute these claims. Police Lieutenant General Choengron Rimpadee presented CCTV footage from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, showing Culley passing through passport control without any signs of duress. "There is absolutely no factual basis to her claims," he stated, insisting that no officers coerced the suspect.

 

Culley's defence lawyer, Malkaz Salakaia, alleged that she had been promised safe passage in Tbilisi but was instead intercepted by customs. He even asked her to display a bruise in court, purportedly from the alleged torture. Salakaia claimed that a corrupt Thai police officer was involved in forcing her into drug trafficking.

 

Picture of Bella May Culley courtesy of MSN

 

The courtroom drama unfolded with Culley’s tearful statement: “I just wanted to travel. I’m clean, I had nothing in my blood test. I wanted to make my family proud.” Her family attended the hearing, offering her support despite the serious charges she faces.

 

Despite acknowledging her youth, pregnancy, and previously clean record, Judge Lela Kalichenko refused bail, considering her a flight risk due to the severity of the charges. Culley, who was missing in Thailand before surfacing in Georgian custody, remains detained ahead of her next court appearance on Thursday, July 10.

 

As her distraught family tried to comfort her, Thai officials maintained their scepticism. “We believe the allegations are an attempt to reduce her sentence,” Lt. Gen. Choengron asserted. “But the facts, and the footage, speak for themselves.”

 

The case continues to unfold, with tensions high as authorities in two countries contest the narrative surrounding this young woman's future. The stakes remain high, both legally and diplomatically, as the trial proceeds.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-07

 

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Picture courtesy of Chronicle Live

 

A British teenager, Bella May Culley, is at the centre of an international controversy after being accused of smuggling cannabis into Georgia. The 19-year-old broke down in a Tbilisi courtroom, claiming she was tortured and forced to carry drugs. Thai officials quickly dismissed her account as fictitious.

 

Culley, from Billingham in North-East England, was arrested earlier this year in Georgia for allegedly attempting to smuggle 14 kilogrammes of cannabis and hashish. This serious accusation could result in a life sentence. In court, she painted a harrowing picture of being coerced by a criminal gang in Thailand, alleging she was tortured with a hot iron.

 

However, police in Thailand refute these claims. Police Lieutenant General Choengron Rimpadee presented CCTV footage from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, showing Culley passing through passport control without any signs of duress. "There is absolutely no factual basis to her claims," he stated, insisting that no officers coerced the suspect.

 

Culley's defence lawyer, Malkaz Salakaia, alleged that she had been promised safe passage in Tbilisi but was instead intercepted by customs. He even asked her to display a bruise in court, purportedly from the alleged torture. Salakaia claimed that a corrupt Thai police officer was involved in forcing her into drug trafficking.

 

Picture of Bella May Culley courtesy of MSN

 

The courtroom drama unfolded with Culley’s tearful statement: “I just wanted to travel. I’m clean, I had nothing in my blood test. I wanted to make my family proud.” Her family attended the hearing, offering her support despite the serious charges she faces.

 

Despite acknowledging her youth, pregnancy, and previously clean record, Judge Lela Kalichenko refused bail, considering her a flight risk due to the severity of the charges. Culley, who was missing in Thailand before surfacing in Georgian custody, remains detained ahead of her next court appearance on Thursday, July 10.

 

As her distraught family tried to comfort her, Thai officials maintained their scepticism. “We believe the allegations are an attempt to reduce her sentence,” Lt. Gen. Choengron asserted. “But the facts, and the footage, speak for themselves.”

 

The case continues to unfold, with tensions high as authorities in two countries contest the narrative surrounding this young woman's future. The stakes remain high, both legally and diplomatically, as the trial proceeds.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-07

 

 

Death sentence 👍

More tales come out of her than the fiction section in my local library ! 🙈

17 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Death sentence 👍

Ridiculous.

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A British teenager, Bella May Culley, is at the centre of an international controversy after being accused of smuggling cannabis into Georgia. The 19-year-old broke down in a Tbilisi courtroom, claiming she was tortured and forced to carry drugs. Thai officials quickly dismissed her account as fictitious.

You got caught missy.... do the crime do the time.

On the one hand, the Thai authorities would of course deny that one of them was involved in corruption or the drug trade. Indeed, no Thai official has ever been involved in the drug trade before, ever, ever, ever, and all comments about corruption in the Army and Police about involvement are totally totally false going back in time forever. What I fail to understand is why the woman didn't just show the middle finger to the Thai official who was trying to coerce her, refuse and take the hot iron if that means not going to jail for life, or scream to attract attention or ask an airport security officer to help her. I think she will be convicted because she didn't do any of the above ... assuming that she is innocent.

Just wash away this little girl from the news. She has had enough time now.

26 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

You got caught missy.... do the crime do the time.

And if she gets found guilty which is highly likely, it will be lots of time?.....15-20 years, possible Life?

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Culley, who was missing in Thailand before surfacing in Georgian custody

Something wrong here, 

Thai police stated she was captured on video passing through swampy, they must have been watching her, she alleges the police put her up to it so it stands to reason they will watch her, will be interesting to see the burn scars

1 minute ago, jwl53 said:

Something wrong here, 

Thai police stated she was captured on video passing through swampy, they must have been watching her

Everybody is.  Not just her.

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

alleging she was tortured with a hot iron.

 

Any burn marks or relevant scars on her body? I bet not!

6 minutes ago, jwl53 said:

Something wrong here, 

Thai police stated she was captured on video passing through swampy, they must have been watching her, she alleges the police put her up to it so it stands to reason they will watch her, will be interesting to see the burn scars

 

IMO incorrect. BKK has many CCTV cameras surveying the airport and all the passengers 24/7! By replaying the recordings she will eventually be found.

Should have brought a more expensive air ticket to western Europe, were a slap on the back of her hand would have been the lot. She would have been back in her own bed ages ago,

18 minutes ago, jwl53 said:

Something wrong here, 

Thai police stated she was captured on video passing through swampy, they must have been watching her, she alleges the police put her up to it so it stands to reason they will watch her, will be interesting to see the burn scars

Probably you haven't heard of CCTV..

She was busted somewhere else as the drug smuggler.

What is the point of talking about her experience during Thai police custody?

Totally irrelevant at this stage.

She is now under the jurisdiction if Georgia.

 

And this is where ahe is going to do her time when convicted...

 

45 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Just wash away this little girl from the news. She has had enough time now.

which newspaper has bought her story . Mail/Mirror or Star

40 minutes ago, jwl53 said:

Something wrong here, 

Thai police stated she was captured on video passing through swampy, they must have been watching her, she alleges the police put her up to it so it stands to reason they will watch her, will be interesting to see the burn scars

 

 

You seem to be missing the plot.  Thai police hae footage of everyone that walks almost anywhere inThailand it is called CCTV  ; they have it at all immigration lines.  So yes they are watching her but not anymore than they are watching you or me if we are going anywhere by plane.

 

As to the scars, they can be self-administered if she gets caught. Notice the defence lawyer showed a bruise not a burn scar.  You do not get bruises from heating irons.

 

This young lady is in a world of hurt.  She is going to have to come clean and pray that they do not give her the max to set an example.  Her child is going to be born in Georgia, which will be interesting to see what happens there.

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Culley, from Billingham

 

Billingham.....that's a grim version of Middlesbrough......guilty. 

10 minutes ago, black tabby12345 said:

She was busted somewhere else as the drug smuggler.

What is the point of talking about her experience during Thai police custody?

Totally irrelevant at this stage.

She is now under the jurisdiction if Georgia.

 

And this is where ahe is going to do her time when convicted...

 

In a male prison?  really

1 hour ago, newbee2022 said:

Death sentence 👍

For heroin yes for pot no way!

She was never 'missing in Thailand' she left had been busted in georgia.

 

There will be records of who bought the plane ticket and where, personally i thinks she is full of shate 

1 hour ago, ronster said:

More tales come out of her than the fiction section in my local library ! 🙈

I reckon she's been reading this site and getting her insperations from no1 dreamer  Loui London to dream up fairy tale stories to give to the judge .

 

1 hour ago, ronster said:

More tales come out of her than the fiction section in my local library ! 🙈

1 hour ago, ronster said:

More tales come out of her than the fiction section in my local library ! 🙈

 

26 minutes ago, kingstonkid said:

 

 

You seem to be missing the plot.  Thai police hae footage of everyone that walks almost anywhere inThailand it is called CCTV  ; they have it at all immigration lines.  So yes they are watching her but not anymore than they are watching you or me if we are going anywhere by plane.

 

As to the scars, they can be self-administered if she gets caught. Notice the defence lawyer showed a bruise not a burn scar.  You do not get bruises from heating irons.

 

This young lady is in a world of hurt.  She is going to have to come clean and pray that they do not give her the max to set an example.  Her child is going to be born in Georgia, which will be interesting to see what happens there.

She's just a lying little slut !!!

56 minutes ago, Frankie baby said:

Should have brought a more expensive air ticket to western Europe, were a slap on the back of her hand would have been the lot. She would have been back in her own bed ages ago,

 

There was a recent story about another Brit was just jailed for bringing in 31Kg (?) of weed. She got 20 months, half of which to be spent in her home. With good behaviour might already be ready to get out.

2 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Death sentence 👍

Folk were executed for doing nothing wrong by people who think like you, brain-dead...........🤕

29 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

In a male prison?  really

 

Could not find pix from female version fast enough.

So posted the one for men instead...

12 minutes ago, wavodavo said:

She's just a lying little slut !!!

 

Self-justification.

Often the common behavior among criminals,  especially among the westerners.

As they believe they are benefited by that act, instead of admitting own guilt.

While it doesn't always work.

13 minutes ago, transam said:

Folk were executed for doing nothing wrong by people who think like you, brain-dead...........🤕

You think she did nothing wrong ?😂😂😂😂

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

alleging she was tortured with a hot iron

 

And then when she completed the ironing, the toxic male scoundrel  ordered her into the kitchen to make him a samm'ich!

 

Oh, the humanity!

Just now, newbee2022 said:

You think she did nothing wrong ?😂😂😂😂

I didn't say that, you said you wanted her dead, strange fellow..............