Russian customs apprehended a 38-year-old German man upon his arrival in St Petersburg from Istanbul for possessing cannabis-infused gummy candies labeled as “Fink Green Goldbears.” The candies, displaying a marijuana leaf image on the packaging, raised suspicion during luggage inspection.
Authorities discovered six gummies emitting a strong odor, later confirmed to contain tetrahydrocannabinol, a prohibited substance in Russia.
The detained passenger confessed to purchasing ten marijuana-infused sweets from a specialty store in his home country and had traveled with them multiple times, purportedly for relaxation during long flights. Russian customs shared images of the German’s passport alongside the seized items.
Facing a potential seven-year sentence, the man now faces criminal charges for drug smuggling. This incident occurs amid ongoing discussions between Russia and the United States regarding a potential prisoner exchange.
Russia seeks the release of two U.S. citizens, including Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich and former Marine Paul Whelan, in exchange for a Russian national.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently expressed willingness to negotiate Gershkovich’s release, citing the illogicality of keeping him incarcerated. In return, Russia desires the release of Vadim Krasikov, convicted for the 2019 murder of a Chechen dissident in Berlin. However, Germany has refrained from commenting on potential swaps involving Krasikov.
The proposed exchange raises eyebrows due to the unusual circumstances: Germany would be relinquishing a murder convict on its soil to secure the freedom of a U.S. citizen. Despite the complexities, discussions between the involved parties persist, highlighting the geopolitical intricacies at play.
