Bella Culley, 18, from Billingham on Teesside, who had gone missing in Thailand, has been charged with illegally buying, possessing and importing large quantities of narcotics including marijuana.
Georgian Police have said, if found guilty, she could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment.
Miss Culley did not speak during an initial hearing before she was sent to an all-female pre-trial detention facility in the city of Rustavi, her lawyer said.
Miss Culley came in Georgia from Thailand on Saturday, according to Ia Todua, who was authorized by the state to defend her. She was detained in temporary custody until Tuesday’s court.
The British consular staff arranged a meeting, she added, and other attorneys had contacted her to represent Miss Culley.
“I think she is a child because she was so clenched,” Ms. Todua stated.
“She was afraid to speak after being told the main points of the accusation.
“When we asked her to testify at that moment she decided to choose silence.”
“Supporting the family of a British woman who is detained in Georgia” is official Foreign Office confirmation.
At the Tbilisi International Airport, Georgian police reported that they had found a travel bag containing slightly over 2 kg (4.4 lbs) of hashish and up to 12 kg (26 lbs) of marijuana.
According to a spokesman, several departments worked together to make the arrest.
“The illegal purchase and possession of a particularly large amount of narcotics, the illegal purchase and possession of the narcotic drug marijuana, and the illegal importation of the drug into Georgia” were the charges brought against Ms. Culley on Monday, their force stated.
Cleveland Police have confirmed that an 18-year-old Billingham lady was detained in Georgia “on suspicion of drugs offences” and is currently being held.
Also Read:
