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THE 18 YEAR OLD FACES LIFE IMPRISONMENT AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF BUYING, POSSESSING AND IMPORTING SIGNIFICANT QUANTITIES OF DRUGS IN GEORGIA. 12:41, 05 Jun 2025 The Foreign, Commonwealth and

Development Office (FCDO) has today updated its travel advice for nearly 50 countries following the arrest of an 18 year old British teenager. Bella MayCulley is facing a potential life

sentence due to drug charges, accused of illegally buying, possessing and importing significant quantities of narcotics, including cannabis. Culley, from Billingham in Teesside, is believed

to have vanished from Thailand, only to be arrested at Tbilisi International Airport in Georgia, some 3,700 miles away, on these charges. Reports suggest she was allegedly caught trying to

smuggle 14kg of cannabis into the country. The teenager has been detained there for 55 days while the prosecution continues its investigations. The BBC reports that this could be extended by

another seven months. On Thursday (June 4), the UK Foreign Office updated travel advice for more than 40 worldwide destinations, following the legalisation of low-strength cannabis in

Thailand. This change presents a potential risk for travellers attempting to leave the country with the substance. Criminal gangs are known to manipulate individuals into transporting drugs.

This has led the government to issue a new warning, advising travellers not to carry items through customs for others, reports Glasgow Live. Article continues below In certain countries,

even traces of cannabis on clothing can result in arrest. Blood and urine tests may also be conducted. The official @FCDOtravelGovUK account warned globetrotters via a social media update

which said: "Don't smuggle illegal drugs. There are severe penalties for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including cannabis. Airports have excellent technology to

detect items, including in the baggage of transiting passengers." Keen travellers can tap into up-to-date Foreign Office advice at the gov.uk website, home to guidelines for 226

destinations. A notice on the site advises: "Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences."

THE COUNTRIES FOREIGN OFFICE HAS UPDATED ITS SAFETY AND SECURITY ADVICE: * Albania * Armenia * Austria * Azerbaijan * Belarus * Belgium * Latvia * Bosnia and Hertzegovena * Bulgaria *

Burundi * Croatia * Cyprus, * Czech Republic * Denmark * Estonia * Finland * France * Georgia * Germany * Hungary * Iceland * Ireland * Italy * Kazakhstan * Kosovo * Lichtenstein * Lithuania

* Luxembourg * Malta * Moldova * Montenegro * Netherlands * Nigeria * North Macedonia * Norway * Poland * Portugal * Romania * Russia * Rwanda * Serbia * Slovakia * Slovenia * Spain *

Sweden * Switzerland * Turkey * USA This fresh counsel for many places notes: "Updated information on the risks of being involved with illegal drugs, including cannabis. This includes

the risk of arrest if you are found carrying drugs when transiting through the airport." Further, the notice emphasises: "Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties.

You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports." The Foreign Office has issued

stern warnings for travellers heading to popular destinations such as Greece, stating: "Airports in Greece have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is

also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. Possession of even small quantities of illegal drugs can lead to a long prison sentence. Nitrous oxide is illegal to buy or sell for

recreational use. You could be arrested or fined." For those jetting off to the Netherlands, it's clear that: "Airports in the Netherlands have excellent technology and

security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers." Article continues below Holidaymakers planning to visit Turkey should heed the UK

government's cautioning about illegal drug penalties, "You should expect a long prison sentence of 4 to 24 years and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs,

including when transiting through airports."