Latest news with #BonnienClyde
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
UK teen, who disappeared in Thailand, resurfaces in handcuffs in Georgia over drug smuggling charges
UK teen, who disappeared in Thailand, resurfaces in handcuffs in Georgia over drug smuggling charges (Picture credit: X) An 18-year-old British woman from Billingham , Teesside, is facing a potential life sentence in Georgia after she was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle 14kg (30lbs) of cannabis into the country. Bella May Culley , who had recently travelled to south-east Asia, vanished in Thailand before reappearing in handcuffs in Tbilisi. Georgian authorities claim Culley was detained at Tbilisi International Airport on Saturday last week, following a sting operation by the Special Tasks Department. According to Georgian Police, officers discovered 34 vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana and 20 packets of hashish in her luggage. As per the BBC, she has been charged with illegally purchasing, possessing, and importing a particularly large amount of narcotics, crimes that carry up to 20 years or even life imprisonment under Georgian law. Culley remained silent during a court appearance in Tbilisi, only revealing she was pregnant. The court has ordered a medical examination to verify the claim and remanded her in custody at Tbilisi's only female prison, which, as noted by Human Rights Watch , has previously been condemned as 'inhuman' and 'degrading'. Teen 'smuggler's social media brags before nightmare arrest after Thai holiday According to the Daily Mail, her grandfather, William Culley, 80, said the family is distraught and in disbelief. 'She's not an international drug trafficker. She's just a student who wanted to go on holiday. Someone must have taken advantage of her', she said. Bella's father, Neil Culley, who lives in Vietnam, is now in Georgia to support his daughter. Her disappearance had initially sparked an international search when her family lost contact with her on May 10 after she had travelled to Thailand. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, was quoted by The Sun as saying that she was shocked to hear about the charges, insisting Bella 'doesn't like the party lifestyle' and had travelled to reconnect with friends from a previous trip. Before her arrest, Culley had shared clips on TikTok showing off stacks of cash and referring to a 'Bonnie and Clyde' lifestyle. In one video, she posed with the caption, 'Blonde or brunette? Erm how about we get up to criminal activities side by side like Bonnie n Clyde', comments now drawing scrutiny. As per The Sun, her online activity stopped abruptly on May 9. Bella had completed an access course at Middlesbrough College and hoped to pursue nursing. Her lawyer, Ia Todua, was quoted by the BBC as saying that the teenager appeared too anxious to testify. 'She is so clenched. She's a child, in my opinion… she chose to remain silent', she added.
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Brit ‘smuggler' Bella Culley's cash wad & ‘Bonnie & Clyde' brag on TikTok before arrest 4,000 miles away from Thai hols
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE BRIT teen arrested for smuggling 30lb of marijuana into Georgia boasted on TikTok about her "criminal" lifestyle before getting caught. Bella May Culley, 18, from County Durham, disappeared while travelling in south-east Asia and reappeared in handcuffs in Tbilisi. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Bella bragged of a 'Bonnie and Clyde' lifestyle on TikTok Credit: TikTok 15 She showed off huge wads of cash Credit: @ 15 Bella went on a trip to the Philippines and then took a detour to Thailand Credit: Facebook 15 Bella appeared in court in Georgia today, where she did not comment on the charges Credit: East2West 15 Police say they found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage while trying to enter Georgia Credit: East2West She appeared in court today after being detained at the city's airport on suspicion of hiding 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage - and could face 20 behind bars. Now, clips of Bella bragging about making piles of cash and living a "Bonnie n Clyde" lifestyle have emerged. One TikTok video shows Bella posing on a balcony, captioned: "Blonde or brunette? Erm how about we get up to criminal activities side by side like Bonnie n Clyde." It goes on: "Making heavy figures and f*****g on balconies all over the world". Another post flaunts huge stacks of cash, with her clutching a bundle of £10 and £20 notes held together by a hairband. The online brags about making money and crime began before she jetted to south-east Asia a few weeks ago, just after Easter. Out in Asia, evidence of her lavish lifestyle continues with videos of Bella partying, lounging on beaches, scuba diving and smoking marijuana in the back of a cars. But her content suddenly dried up last week - along with her messages back home. Her family were clueless at first and put out a desperate plea for information, fearing Bella was still in Thailand and missing. But yesterday, Georgian authorities released photos of Bella being marched while handcuffed into a police station. Brit tourist, 18, reported missing for days in Thailand is arrested on 'drug offences' in Georgia 4,000 miles away Airport staff had stopped her on the way in and allegedly found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage. 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 today, 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'. 15 Georgian authorities released footage showing the British teen in handcuffs Credit: East2West 15 Police in Georgia released images of the alleged hoard the British teen is accused of trying to smuggle into the country Credit: East2West 15 The cannabis was wrapped in black bags in her luggage, police said Credit: East2West 15 Her baffled dad Neil Culley, who lives in Vietnam where he works off-shore, is flying to Eastern Europe to be by his daughter's side in Georgia today. A loved-one said: 'She is just a student - she doesn't really go out or do anything like that. She just wanted a break so took herself to Thailand. 'She must have become mixed up with someone. She must have met someone who has taken advantage of her.' Meanwhile Bella's paternal grandfather William Culley, 80, said he feared he may not see his 'intelligent' granddaughter again and said "she's not an international drug trafficker". Bella went travelling with a friend to the Philippines last month and then decided to take a spontaneous trip to Thailand on May 3. Her mum, Lyanne, told The Sun that went to reconnect with some people she met on a previous trip to the country. Her family raised the alarm during her holiday after she failed to contact anyone since Saturday, despite usually flooding her family with texts, sparking a huge international search operation. They had no idea that she had even left Thailand and were shocked to learn of her arrest in a different continent. 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. The Brit remained silent on the charges when she appeared in court today. 15 Bella posted videos of her smoking in the back of cars Credit: @ / tiktok 15 She told her mum she was going to Thailand to reconnect with friends she previously made in the country Credit: Facebook 15 She posted regularly to her social media accounts - but all communication dried up at the weekend Credit: Facebook Major Georgian TV outlet Rustavi 2 in a text report said that Bella May Culley had told the Tbilisi court that she was 'pregnant'. The judge remanded her in custody. Meanwhile, mystery surrounded a string of company directorships Bella appeared to hold, despite being described as a "normal student" and family and friends having no idea about them. Records showed apparent links to the Far East - with Bella listed as the director of at least two companies with Chinese ties. Speaking at his home in Billingham, Co Durham today, Bella's grandfather said: 'I'm terrified that she's in for a long sentence. I might never see her again - I'm 80 years old. 'She's got sucked into something, somehow. She's not an international drug trafficker. 'It's all just very strange and at the moment we just don't have any answers. We don't know what to think." He said his granddaughter was 'intelligent' and 'not daft' and would not knowingly have involved herself with drugs. 'She was on holiday with some friends, doing what 18-year-olds do - drinking and dancing. They must have met somebody who's taken advantage of her.' Mr Culley described his granddaughter as a 'normal' 18 year old who lived with her brother and mother in social housing in Billingham. Mr Culley said: 'She's not daft, she's an intelligent girl. Why has she done it? Has someone dangled money in front of her? 'We just don't know what has gone on until we get out there and talk to her. 15 Bella could be jailed for 20 years if found guilty Credit: @ / tiktok 15 Mum Lyanne told The Sun that Bella didn't like the party lifestyle Credit: Facebook 15 Bella had been enjoying her holiday in the South East Asia Credit: Facebook Her Georgian lawyer told reporters today: "My client is currently exercising the right to remain silent, so we will provide detailed information later, once they decide how to proceed. "A formal request must be submitted to the relevant authority, and then more detailed information regarding my client can be provided. "At this stage, [she is] invoking [her] right to silence, and further developments will be shared later once a decision is made." Culley's lawyer said: 'The person under my protection is currently exercising the right to silence and, accordingly, I will provide all the detailed information later, when she decides to provide detailed information to the investigative bodies regarding the charges brought against her.' Bella could face decades behind bars in Georgia's only female prison, Tbilisi Prison number 5. The prison has been previously criticised for being 'degrading', 'inhuman' and 'an affront to a civilised society' by a European committee. Bella recently completed an access course at Middlesbrough College and hopes to become a nurse - but first wanted to go travelling. Before her reappearance in Georgia, Bella's mum Lyanne Kennedy, 44, told The Sun: "Her dad lives in Vietnam, so she's always wanted to see Asia. 'She loves all the touristy stuff, like releasing turtles." Bella flew out to the Philippines with a friend - and Thailand wasn't even on the agenda to begin with. But when her pal went to Ibiza, she decided to head in a different direction because "she doesn't drink that much and isn't really into the party lifestyle". Instead, Bella travelled on to Thailand around May 3. Lyanne said: "I really didn't want her to go to Thailand. 'I begged her to come home. I don't trust some of the boys over there. 'But she wanted to meet up with some friends she made over there on a previous trip. I don't know who any of them are."
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Brit ‘smuggler' Bella Culley's cash wad & ‘Bonnie & Clyde' brag on TikTok before arrest 4,000 miles away from Thai hols
THE BRIT teen arrested for smuggling 30lb of marijuana into Georgia boasted on TikTok about her "criminal" lifestyle before getting caught. , 18, from County Durham , disappeared while travelling in south-east Asia and reappeared in handcuffs in Tbilisi. 15 Bella bragged of a 'Bonnie and Clyde' lifestyle on TikTok Credit: TikTok 15 She showed off huge wads of cash Credit: @ 15 Bella went on a trip to the Philippines and then took a detour to Thailand Credit: Facebook 15 Bella appeared in court in Georgia today, where she did not comment on the charges Credit: East2West 15 Police say they found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage while trying to enter Georgia Credit: East2West She cannabis in her luggage - and could face 20 behind bars. Now, clips of Bella bragging about making piles of cash and living a "Bonnie n Clyde" lifestyle have emerged. One TikTok video shows Bella posing on a balcony, captioned: "Blonde or brunette? Erm how about we get up to criminal activities side by side like Bonnie n Clyde." It goes on: "Making heavy figures and f*****g on balconies all over the world". READ MORE ON THE BRIT TEEN Another post flaunts huge stacks of cash, with her clutching a bundle of £10 and £20 notes held together by a hairband. The online brags about making money and crime began before she jetted to south-east Asia a few weeks ago, just after Easter. Out in Asia, evidence of her lavish lifestyle continues with videos of Bella partying, lounging on beaches, scuba diving and smoking marijuana in the back of a cars. But her content suddenly dried up last week - along with her messages back home. Most read in The Sun Her family were clueless at first and put out a desperate plea for information, fearing Bella was still in Thailand and missing. But yesterday, Georgian authorities released photos of Bella being marched while handcuffed into a police station. Brit tourist, 18, reported missing for days in Thailand is arrested on 'drug offences' in Georgia 4,000 miles away Airport staff had stopped her on the way in and allegedly found 34 bags of cannabis in her luggage. 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 today, 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'. 15 Georgian authorities released footage showing the British teen in handcuffs Credit: East2West 15 Police in Georgia released images of the alleged hoard the British teen is accused of trying to smuggle into the country Credit: East2West 15 The cannabis was wrapped in black bags in her luggage, police said Credit: East2West 15 Her baffled dad Neil Culley, who lives in Vietnam where he works off-shore, is flying to Eastern Europe to be by his daughter's side in Georgia today. A loved-one said: 'She is just a student - she doesn't really go out or do anything like that. She just wanted a break so took herself to Thailand. 'She must have become mixed up with someone. She must have met someone who has taken advantage of her.' Meanwhile Bella's paternal grandfather William Culley, 80, said he feared he may not see his 'intelligent' granddaughter again and said "she's not an international drug trafficker". Bella went travelling with a friend to the Philippines last month and then decided to take a spontaneous trip to Thailand on May 3. Her mum, Lyanne, told The Sun that went to reconnect with some people she met on a previous trip to the country. Her family raised the alarm during her holiday after she failed to contact anyone since Saturday, despite usually flooding her family with texts, sparking a huge international search operation. They had no idea that she had even left Thailand and were shocked to learn of her arrest in a different continent. 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. The Brit remained silent on the charges when she appeared in court today. 15 Bella posted videos of her smoking in the back of cars Credit: @ / tiktok 15 She told her mum she was going to Thailand to reconnect with friends she previously made in the country Credit: Facebook 15 She posted regularly to her social media accounts - but all communication dried up at the weekend Credit: Facebook Major Georgian TV outlet Rustavi 2 in a text report said that Bella May Culley had told the Tbilisi court that she was 'pregnant'. The judge remanded her in custody. Meanwhile, mystery surrounded a string of company directorships Bella appeared to hold, despite being described as a "normal student" and family and friends having no idea about them. Records showed apparent links to the Far East - with Bella listed as the director of at least two companies with Chinese ties. Speaking at his home in Billingham, Co Durham today, Bella's grandfather said: 'I'm terrified that she's in for a long sentence. I might never see her again - I'm 80 years old. 'She's got sucked into something, somehow. She's not an international drug trafficker. 'It's all just very strange and at the moment we just don't have any answers. We don't know what to think." He said his granddaughter was 'intelligent' and 'not daft' and would not knowingly have involved herself with drugs . 'She was on holiday with some friends, doing what 18-year-olds do - drinking and dancing. They must have met somebody who's taken advantage of her.' Mr Culley described his granddaughter as a 'normal' 18 year old who lived with her brother and mother in social housing in Billingham. Mr Culley said: 'She's not daft, she's an intelligent girl. Why has she done it? Has someone dangled money in front of her? 'We just don't know what has gone on until we get out there and talk to her. 15 Bella could be jailed for 20 years if found guilty Credit: @ / tiktok 15 Mum Lyanne told The Sun that Bella didn't like the party lifestyle Credit: Facebook 15 Bella had been enjoying her holiday in the South East Asia Credit: Facebook Her Georgian lawyer told reporters today: "My client is currently exercising the right to remain silent, so we will provide detailed information later, once they decide how to proceed. "A formal request must be submitted to the relevant authority, and then more detailed information regarding my client can be provided. "At this stage, [she is] invoking [her] right to silence, and further developments will be shared later once a decision is made." Culley's lawyer said: 'The person under my protection is currently exercising the right to silence and, accordingly, I will provide all the detailed information later, when she decides to provide detailed information to the investigative bodies regarding the charges brought against her.' Bella could face decades behind bars in Georgia's only female prison, Tbilisi Prison number 5. The prison has been previously criticised for being 'degrading', 'inhuman' and 'an affront to a civilised society' by a European committee. Bella recently completed an access course at Middlesbrough College and hopes to become a nurse - but first wanted to go travelling. Before her reappearance in Georgia, Bella's mum Lyanne Kennedy, 44, told The Sun: "Her dad lives in Vietnam, so she's always wanted to see Asia. 'She loves all the touristy stuff, like releasing turtles." Bella flew out to the Philippines with a friend - and Thailand wasn't even on the agenda to begin with. But when her pal went to Ibiza, she decided to head in a different direction because "she doesn't drink that much and isn't really into the party lifestyle". Instead, Bella travelled on to Thailand around May 3. Lyanne said: "I really didn't want her to go to Thailand. 'I begged her to come home. I don't trust some of the boys over there. 'But she wanted to meet up with some friends she made over there on a previous trip. I don't know who any of them are."
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘Drug-smuggling' British teenager claims she is pregnant
A British teenager arrested for smuggling drugs into Georgia after disappearing while travelling in Thailand has claimed she is pregnant. Thai police claim Bella May Culley, 18, may have been 'lured by criminals' into becoming a mule in exchange for a 'holiday of a lifetime' before she vanished from a beach resort, only to appear in court 4,000 miles away. Ms Culley had arrived in Thailand from the Philippines and shared travelling photos on social media including a post flaunting cash and comparing herself to Bonnie and Clyde. On Tuesday, it was revealed she had been arrested at Tbilisi airport with '34 hermetically sealed packages containing marijuana … as well as 20 packages of hashish'. Cleveland Police said they had been informed by the Georgian authorities that Ms Culley had been arrested on suspicion of drug offences and was in custody. Footage shared by broadcasters in Georgia appeared to show the 18-year-old walking into court in handcuffs. She reportedly told a hearing at Tbilisi city court that she was pregnant, but added she would reserve the right to remain silent. She will undergo a medical examination and remains in custody. Ms Culley was arrested after customs officers at the airport discovered her bag to be full of drugs, according to local media reports. A video showed a suitcase apparently full of drugs, including around a dozen sachets labelled 'hash'. Credit: imedinews The teenager appeared in court and was remanded in custody after being denied bail. Police in Thailand have claimed the teenager may have been tricked into smuggling the drugs to Georgia. A police spokesman told local media that any young woman travelling alone to the eastern European country of Georgia was likely to attract official attention. He told The Pattaya News a likely explanation was that she had been 'lured by criminals' to be a drugs transporter or 'mule' in return for the 'holiday of a lifetime'. Gangs are known to target young, vulnerable travellers and the UK's National Crime Agency has previously warned of an increase in arrests of people trying to smuggle cannabis by air from Thailand. Credit: imedinews The theory came as social media posts emerged from Culley about 'criminal activities' and meeting someone to partner with as 'Bonnie n Clyde' Last month, she had posted footage on TikTok from Thailand where she said: 'Blonde or brunette? Erm, how about we get up to criminal activities side by side like Bonnie n Clyde making heavy figures.' In a caption, she added: 'I don't care if we on the runnnnn baby long as i'm next to uuu.'' In posts on TikTok and Instagram, Ms Culley has appeared to show off cash, with a pile of £10 and £20 notes held together by a hairband. Should she be found guilty of drug smuggling, Ms Culley could face up to 20 years or a sentence of life behind bars. Ms Culley's Georgian lawyer sought her release on bail and told reporters: 'My client is currently exercising the right to remain silent, so we will provide detailed information later, once they decide how to proceed.' Ms Culley will likely be held at the only female prison in the country. A Georgian government report in 2015 found that cells contained no drinking water and prisoners were sometimes given 'big nappies' instead of sanitary products. He last posts on Instagram and Tiktok came on May 9 and she was reported missing after family members did not hear from her from May 10, according to local media Thai police made inquiries throughout the holiday resort, a three hours' drive from Bangkok, but immigration records suggested she had already left the country. The family of the teenager, who is from Billingham, Co Durham, had earlier appealed to the public for any information about her whereabouts. Lyanne Kennedy, Ms Culley's mother, said her daughter had travelled around the Philippines in April before flying to Thailand on May 3. 'She flew out to the Philippines after Easter with a friend and she was there for three weeks,' Mrs Kennedy told Teesside Live. She added: 'She was posting loads of pictures and then she went to Thailand on about May 3. 'The last message she sent was to me and that was on Saturday at 5.30pm saying she was going to FaceTime me later. That was the last message anyone has received from what we can figure out up to now.' Ms Culley's father and aunt, Neil and Kerrie Culley, flew to Thailand to try to find her after her family alerted police in Thailand and Britain about her disappearance. A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: 'We have had confirmation from the authorities in Georgia that an 18-year-old woman from Billingham has been arrested there on suspicion of drugs offences and that she remains in their custody.' A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting the family of a British woman who is detained in Georgia and are in contact with the local authorities.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
