Pregnant Teen Freed in Georgia After Family Pays $187,000 in Landmark Drug Case

A pregnant British teenager has been released from a Georgian prison. Bella Culley, 19, was arrested in May on drug smuggling charges. Her family secured her freedom by paying $187,000 in compensation to a court.

The payment was confirmed outside a Tbilisi courthouse. Culley had been held for months after arriving from Thailand. According to Reuters, her mother stated the family was waiting for the funds to be credited.

Details of the Arrest and Charges

Culley was arrested at Tbilisi airport upon her arrival. Georgian prosecutors state she was carrying a significant quantity of drugs. Her luggage allegedly contained 12 kg of marijuana and 2 kg of hashish.

Drug smuggling is a serious crime in Georgia. It carries a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years. Culley was detained at a women’s prison in Rustavi, a city near the capital.

The Path to Release and Ongoing Proceedings

The family’s payment of 500,000 lari was the key to her release. This financial compensation is a legal mechanism in the Georgian system. Her lawyer confirmed the court will hold another hearing on the case.

Culley had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. She previously claimed she was tortured into transporting the drugs. She also insisted she was a “clean person” who did not use drugs herself.

The case highlights the severe legal risks of drug trafficking in Georgia. Bella Culley’s release marks a costly conclusion for her family. The final legal outcome now rests with the Georgian courts.

Info at your fingertips

What was Bella Culley accused of smuggling?

Georgian prosecutors accused her of smuggling 12 kg of marijuana and 2 kg of hashish. She was arrested at Tbilisi airport with the drugs in her luggage. The charges included possession and trafficking of illegal substances.

How did her family secure her release?

Her family paid 500,000 lari, equivalent to $187,000, as compensation. This payment was made directly to a Georgian court. It was a key condition for her release from pre-trial detention.

What was Culley’s initial plea?

She initially pleaded not guilty to all charges during a July hearing. Culley stated she had been forced to transport the drugs under duress. She maintained that she did not use drugs herself.

What is the potential prison sentence for this crime in Georgia?

Drug smuggling can lead to a prison term of up to 20 years in Georgia. The country has strict anti-drug laws. This makes the charges she faced particularly severe.

Where was Culley held before her release?

She was detained at a women’s prison in the city of Rustavi. This facility is located just outside the capital, Tbilisi. She was held there from her arrest in May until her recent release.