German tourist arrested for marijuana gummies in Russian airport could face 7‑year sentence
The man arrested at the airport explained that he had flown to Saint Petersburg to visit his girlfriend. In an attempt to reduce the stress associated with the flight, he had brought along cannabis-infused candies. He added that he had previously traveled with this product internationally without encountering any issues.
6:15 PM EST, February 13, 2024
During the backpack inspection, customs officers noticed a stiff polymer bag with a cannabis leaf on it - the Federal Customs Service of Russia's press service reported on February 13th, as quoted by Svoboda portal.
Customs officers at the scene conducted a test that confirmed the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol in the product. In Russia, this substance is prohibited, and its importation into the country is considered a crime. A criminal case has now been initiated against the German citizen.
The 38-year-old may face charges for smuggling narcotics. He is currently under arrest. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to at least 3 years in prison. The maximum penalty is 7 years and a fine of a million rubles ($13,282).
Previous example: an American basketball player's arrest
The case of the 38-year-old German citizen is not the first of its kind. A while ago, American basketball player Brittney Griner was arrested in Russia for possession of e-cigarette cartridges filled with hashish oil.
Griner was arrested at Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on February 17, 2022. During her trial, Griner pled guilty, but emphasized that she did not intentionally violate Russian law. The court did not acknowledge her explanations and concluded that she acted deliberately.
Griner received a sentence of 9 years in a penal colony and a fine of a million rubles ($13,282). In December 2022, she returned to the United States in exchange for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was held in an American prison.
