Bella Culley, a 19-year-old British teenager and eight months pregnant, is awaiting sentencing in a Georgian prison after being charged with drug smuggling. Her case has drawn international attention due to the severe nature of Georgia's drug laws and the circumstances surrounding her arrest. After five months of pre-trial detention, a plea bargain has been reached, which will significantly reduce her potential sentence from up to 20 years to two years of imprisonment, contingent on her family paying a fine of approximately £137,000 to £140,000.

Initially, Miss Culley was held in Georgia's Rustavi Prison Number Five, where conditions were described as stark. Her mother, Lyanne Kennedy, revealed that Bella endured a cell with only a hole in the ground for a toilet, one hour of fresh air daily, and communal showers twice a week. During this time, she resorted to boiling pasta in a kettle and toasting bread over a candle flame. However, a significant change occurred with her transfer to a prison "mother and baby" unit earlier this month. Here, her conditions have markedly improved, allowing her two hours out for walking, access to a communal kitchen where she can cook for herself and others, a private shower in her room, and a proper toilet. She is also reportedly learning Georgian and enjoying cooking for her fellow inmates.

Miss Culley was arrested in May at Tbilisi International Airport after police discovered between 12kg and 14kg of marijuana or cannabis and 2kg of hashish in her hold luggage. She has consistently maintained her innocence regarding intentional smuggling, claiming she was coerced and tortured by criminal gangs – either British or Thai – who threatened her family if she did not comply. Her lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, stated that she was burned with a hot iron and shown a beheading video as part of the coercion. She claims she flew to Tbilisi, mistakenly believing it was a country, and was unaware of the illegal cargo in her bags. A separate criminal investigation into her coercion allegations has been launched by Georgian police.

The case highlights Georgia's stringent approach to drug-related offenses, where laws provide for sentences of up to 20 years or even life imprisonment for trafficking large amounts of drugs. Criminal justice lawyer Guram Imnadze notes that nearly 90% of drug-related crimes in Georgia were resolved through plea bargaining in 2024, as the severity of sentences makes it an attractive strategy for both the prosecution and defense. The timing of Miss Culley's case coincided with a new interior minister prioritizing drug crimes, further intensifying efforts to secure tangible results against drug offenses.

While the Georgian Ministry of Justice asserts that prison conditions have significantly improved under its new penitentiary code, accounts from inside tell a different story. Anastasia Zinovkina, a Russian political activist imprisoned on drug charges, described sanitary conditions as "appalling" and "horrific," detailing the scarcity of basic hygiene supplies like soap and toilet paper, and limited access to showers. Despite these claims, the Ministry of Justice stated that the UN sub-committee on prevention of torture did not express concerns regarding prison conditions during its visit in October 2023, emphasizing a "human-centered approach" to reform.

Following the plea bargain, Miss Culley pleaded guilty, leading to the reduced two-year sentence. Her time served since May will be taken into account, leaving her with just over 18 months remaining. Her lawyer plans to appeal to the President of Georgia for a pardon, especially given provisions in Georgian law that state a mother must be outside until her child is one year old. This offers a glimmer of hope for her potential release before or shortly after giving birth.

The broader context of this incident points to a concerning trend of British gangs targeting and grooming backpackers in Thailand for drug smuggling, particularly since Thailand's legalization of cannabis has led to a massive illicit trade. With efforts to shut down postal smuggling, these gangs have increasingly resorted to using drug mules. Bella Culley's family remains determined, stating they are doing everything they can to bring her and her unborn child home.