Bella Culley, 19, is facing life behind bars in Georgia after allegedly taking illegal drugs into the country - but a plea agreement could see her walk free.

15:01, Tue, Sep 2, 2025 Updated: 15:03, Tue, Sep 2, 2025

Bella May Culley, 18, sparked a massive international search operation after she went missing in Thailand.

Bella May Culley, 18, sparked a massive international search operation after she went missing in Thailand. It has tonight been revealed the teen, from Billingham, County Durham, has actually been arrested on drug offences 4,000 miles away in Georgia (Image: Facebook)

Pregnant teenager Bella Culley, who is accused of being a 'drug mule', is reportedly close to reaching a plea deal in Georgia that could potentially see her released from prison.

The 19-year-old was facing a life sentence in Georgia after allegedly smuggling illegal drugs into the country.

During the latest hearing in Tbilisi, the Georgian capital, it was revealed that a plea agreement might be on the horizon, The Mirror reports.

This deal could result in Bella, who alleges she was coerced into crime through torture, being freed from prison by paying a fine.

It was also disclosed that Bella, who appeared in court dressed in black and sporting a new hairstyle, is 22 weeks pregnant.

The teenager was arrested on drug offences 4,000 miles away in Georgia.

The teenager was arrested on drug offences (Image: Facebook)

Despite this, the judge refused bail, with the next hearing scheduled for October 9.

Bella's mother, who attended the hearing, expressed her love for her daughter.

Bella, originally from Billingham, Teesside, disappeared in Thailand before reappearing in Georgia where she was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport in May.

Bella May Culley seen in court in Tbilisi after she was detained at at the city’s airport ion suspicion of carrying 14kg of cann

Bella May Culley seen in court in Tbilisi after she was detained at at the city’s airport ion suspicion of carrying 14kg of cannabis (Image: Rustavi2 /east2west news)

Marijuana and hashish were reportedly discovered in her luggage.

In July, during a hearing, Bella stated: "I didn't want to do this. I was forced by torture... All I wanted to do was to travel and this happened to me. I'm clean - I had nothing in my blood test. I wanted to make my family proud."

Furthermore, at a subsequent hearing at the end of July, it was announced in court that Bella is expecting a boy.

At this hearing, Bella told the judge: "I hope you understand my story through my eyes. I never thought something like this would happen to me."

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