The family of 18-year-old Bella May Culley, a British teenager detained in Georgia for drug smuggling, is racing against time to raise £215,000 to secure her release from jail. Bella, from Billingham, County Durham, was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport in May for attempting to smuggle approximately 14 kilograms (30 pounds) of cannabis and hashish into the country.
Bella's family is facing an agonizing wait as they try to secure her freedom. Her grandfather, William Culley, expressed his distress, saying, "I am terrified that she is in for a long sentence. I might never see her again – I'm eighty years old." Bella's father, Niel Culley, has flown to Georgia to be close to his daughter, vowing to stay there for "as long as it takes".
Bella faces a potential sentence of 20 years to life in prison for drug smuggling. According to Jemal Janashia, a former police general and drug crime expert, "The quantity of drugs found on her makes it hard to remain optimistic." Bella has pleaded guilty to importing a huge stash of cannabis from Thailand and has struck a deal with prosecutors to walk free, but her family still needs to raise the substantial amount of money to secure her release.
The conditions in Georgian prisons have been criticized by human rights organizations. Tbilisi Prison No. 5, where Bella is being held, has been accused of severe overcrowding and ill-treatment of prisoners. These conditions have raised concerns about Bella's well-being, particularly given her pregnancy. Bella announced her pregnancy in court and is awaiting a medical examination to confirm her condition.
Bella's family is desperately seeking help to raise the £215,000 needed to secure her release. They are reaching out to the public for support, hoping to gather the funds before it's too late. The family is also seeking assistance from the British government to help secure Bella's release and ensure her safety while in custody.
Bella, a student nurse, had been traveling through Southeast Asia before her arrest. Her social media posts before her arrest show her smoking cannabis and flaunting bands of money on TikTok and Instagram. Her family describes her as "intelligent" and "not daft," suggesting that she may have been exploited or coerced into smuggling drugs.
Bella's case highlights the risks faced by young people who engage in drug trafficking. The potential consequences of her actions are severe, and her family is facing a desperate struggle to secure her release. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Bella's family will be able to raise the funds needed to secure her freedom.
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