An American was arrested in Russia last week after airport security found cannabis gummies in his luggage.
The 28-year-old man, who arrived from Istanbul, was detained at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport on Feb. 7, according to Russian state media, after a sniffer dog discovered the contraband.
The man — who was not named in state media reports — explained he had been prescribed the gummies by a doctor in the United States. He was taken into custody and charged with drug smuggling, with a potential prison term of five to 10 years as well as a fine of 1 million roubles, which amounts to roughly $11,000.
The Kremlin has arrested numerous Americans on cannabis possession charges in recent years, including basketball star Brittney Griner in 2022.
Griner, who was arrested for possession of a vape containing marijuana oil and sentenced to nine years in prison, was freed in a high-profile prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
Another American, schoolteacher Marc Fogel, was arrested for possessing medical marijuana in 2021 and sentenced to 14 years. He was freed earlier this week, this time in exchange for a Russian cybercriminal.
The U.S. said both Griner and Fogel were wrongfully detained.
Western officials have accused Moscow of taking foreigners hostage to use as bargaining chips in prisoner swaps. At least 10 Americans remain in prison in Russia.
Story by Seb Starcevic “@ Politico https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/14/american-detained-in-russia-019107
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