A British teenager is currently in a Georgia prison facing allegations related to drug crimes.
Bella Curry, just 18 years old, was thought to be missing in Thailand before her arrest happened 3,700 miles away in Tbilisi on Saturday.
Authorities in Georgia have indicated that Curry, who hails from Billingham in Teesside, could potentially face a life sentence or up to 20 years in prison for the charges against her.
During a hearing in Tbilisi on Tuesday, she faced accusations of illegally buying, possessing, and importing significant amounts of drugs, including marijuana.
The Foreign Office confirmed it will assist the families of British citizens detained in Georgia.
Cleveland police verified that they were aware of Curry’s arrest on suspicion of drug-related offenses.
According to Georgian police, officers discovered around 12 kg of marijuana and over 2 kg of hashish in a travel bag at Tbilisi International Airport.
Ia Todua, a state-appointed lawyer for Curry, noted that the teenager is currently being held in a women’s pretrial detention center in Rastabi.
She explained that Curry arrived in Georgia from Thailand on Saturday and was in temporary custody until the hearing on Tuesday.
Other legal representatives have reportedly expressed interest in representing her, and it appears that the British consulate is providing some support.
Todua mentioned that Curry appeared very anxious and, when discussing her charges, seemed reluctant to speak. She chose to stay silent when asked to testify at that moment.
Curry’s family believed she had gone missing in Thailand until Georgian authorities revealed her arrest this week.
After Easter, she traveled to the Philippines, reportedly exploring the islands with friends before heading to Thailand around May 3rd.
Prior to learning about her arrest, her mother, Leanne Kennedy, mentioned that she hadn’t heard from Bella since Saturday and noted her daughter’s phone appeared to be off.
Kennedy shared her worries with Teesside Live, saying Curry’s father had flown to Bangkok to search for their daughter. She expressed hopes to hear her daughter’s voice soon, wanting to ensure she was home and safe.
The teenager had been sharing pictures of her travels on social media, highlighting her experiences in the Boracay and Palawan Islands in the Philippines last month.
