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Russian authorities say a U.S. professor has been arrested in Moscow for “large-scale” drug smuggling after cannabis was found at the airport.
Marc Fogel, a former employee at the U.S. embassy in Moscow, was going through customs in August last year when trained dogs reacted to his luggage, the Russian Interior Ministry said on Thursday, adding that he had been arrested for not hiding. embassy.
It was not clear why the announcement was made within a month of the arrest.
“As the suspect could be hidden from the embassy’s territorial investigation, the Khimki city court chose an arrest warrant,” he said.
“They found marijuana and hashish oil in the luggage of the foreigners. The drugs were carefully disguised, “he said in a statement.
Marijuana was hidden in contact lenses, and cannabis oil was found in e-cigarette cartridges, the release said.
Fogel and his wife had diplomatic immunity until May last year, the Russian Interior Ministry said.
When he was arrested, he began teaching at the Anglo-American School in Moscow, according to the release.
Fogeli has been accused of “large-scale smuggling and drug possession.”
US Embassy
The US embassy told the AFP news agency: “We take our responsibility seriously to help US citizens abroad, and we are monitoring the situation.”
The mission declined to comment further, citing privacy issues.
Many Americans are currently in Russian prisons.
He is the most prominent US citizen in Russian custody Paul WhelanA former security officer at a car parts company arrested in 2018 on charges of espionage.
Trevor Reed He is a former U.S. Marine who was arrested in 2019 for allegedly punching two Russian police officers for drunkenness.
Russian authorities have offered to exchange U.S. prisoners for Russian detention in U.S. prisons, including pilot contract Konstantin Yaroshenko, who was tried in 2011 for drug trafficking.
Tension between Russia and the US they are rising, Washington has accused Moscow of plotting to invade Ukraine, and the Kremlin has demanded that NATO halt its eastern expansion.
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