The American, identified by Russian authorities as Kalob Wayne Byers, was arrested at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport on Friday, reportedly after arriving on a plane from Istanbul.
“While passing customs, one of his suitcases drew the attention of a service dog,” the state news agency TASS reported, citing Russia’s Federal Customs Service.
“During the customs search, inspectors found two plastic jars and a zip-bag with the candy in it … Chemical analysis showed it contained narcotic cannabinoid substances.”
Byers is accused of transferring cannabis-laced marmalade and gummy candies in his luggage. He claimed the sweets were prescribed by a US doctor and that he needed them for travelling, according to Interfax.
Russia holds several US citizens in detention, including ballerina Ksenia Karelina, retired English teacher Stephen Hubbard and former US marine Robert Gilman.
The previous US administration accused Moscow of detaining American citizens on baseless charges to use them as bargaining chips in future prisoner exchanges.
Earlier this week, Russia exchanged US teacher Marc Fogel for convicted cryptocurrency kingpin Alexander Vinnik, the first prisoner swap between Washington and Moscow since last August.
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(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AFP)
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