Why so many Brits are becoming 'drug mules' as mum faces firing squad in Bali

Experts have offered an explanation as to why so many British travellers may be getting targeted by drugs smugglers, following a spate of arrests over recent months.

Last month is was revealed that British teenager Bella May Culley had been arrested and charged with drug offences in Tbilisi, Georgia, days after disappearing in Thailand.

Culley, who has claimed that she is pregnant, faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of drug smuggling.

Just days later, 21-year-old Charlotte May Lee, from Chipstead, Surrey, was detained in Sri Lanka and accused of attempting to import 46kg of a synthetic drug 'kush' into the country after flying in from Thailand.

British mother Cameron Bradford then became the third Brit traveller to be arrested on drugs charges after flying out of Thailand, after the 21-year-old made the last minute decision to change her flight destination from the UK to Germany.

Teenager Bella May Culley is one of many young women accused of drugs smuggling (TikTok/@bellamayculleyx)

OnlyFans model Clara Wilson was also arrested after flying from Bangkok, Thailand to Barcelona, Spain, with the 36-year-old facing four years in prison and a £750,000 fine, as per The Sun.

The four women join cases such as trio Jonathan Collyer, 38, Phineas Float, 31, and Lisa Stocker, 39, who all currently face the death penalty in Indonesia after being accused of attempting to smuggle cocaine into Bali disguised in cocaine packets.

Stocker has since spoken out about the arrest, claiming that she was 'framed'.

So why are so many Brits being arrested over alleged drugs offences?

According to one expert, who recently discussed the topic in an interview with MailOnline, the travellers are being approached due to the strength of their passports.

However, the expert added that British travellers are likely to become a primary target for airport officials due to the rise in cases.

"That's why they are being picked up more, because they are being picked on more. If it's a run on Brits, this could sustain for years," they added.

Jonathan Collyer, 38, Phineas Float, 31, and Lisa Stocker, 39, could face the death penalty if convicted (SONNY TUMBELAKA/AFP via Getty Images)

Garry Carroll, expert witness and Claymore Advisory Group, also told the outlet that young women are being targeted due to an interest in travelling the world.

"Smuggling drugs or packages where they're not entirely sure of the contents in exchange for free holidays and cash seems quite a lucrative offer," he said, adding free flights and accommodation are being used to lure travellers in.

However, young women aren't the only targets, with older Brits also being targeted.

Earlier this month, 79-year-old William Eastment was arrested in Chile earlier this month and accused of attempting to smuggle crystal meth into Mexico, the BBC reports.

His case mirrors that of British grandmother Lindsay Sandiford, who is currently on death row in Bali after being convicted of trying to smuggle £1.6 million worth of into the country.