A 28-year-old U.S. citizen has been detained at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow after authorities allegedly found cannabis gummies in his luggage, according to Russian media reports.

The individual was taken into custody on February 7 after a K-9 unit from the Russian Federal Customs Service detected a suspicious substance in his belongings, Russia’s TASS news agency reported. He had arrived in Russia on a flight from Istanbul.

US citizen detained in Moscow for 'narcotics smuggling'

Sniffer dog Eureka nabs 28yo at Vnukovo airport with 'significant amount' of cannabis gummies 'prescribed by his doctor'

Faces up to decade behind bars if found guilty pic.twitter.com/EM3OiUj6uB

— RT (@RT_com) February 15, 2025

The U.S. State Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that it is aware of reports regarding the detention but declined to comment further.

“A chemical analysis revealed the presence of narcotic substances from the cannabinoid group,” the Russian customs service stated, according to TASS. The suspect reportedly told authorities that a U.S. doctor had prescribed the gummies.

The American has been charged with smuggling narcotics into Russia and could face a prison sentence of five to ten years if convicted, according to TASS.

American Kalob Wayne Byers, 28, was arrested at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport after flying in from Istanbul on Feb. 7th.

He's being accused of trying to smuggle a “significant amount” of drugs into Russia, including cannabis-laced marmalade.

I don't have any sympathy for Americans… pic.twitter.com/7AD50ecp7c

— Art Candee 🍿🥤 (@ArtCandee) February 15, 2025

His arrest comes shortly after the release of Marc Fogel, a U.S. citizen detained in Russia on drug charges four years ago. Fogel was freed on Tuesday as part of a prisoner exchange for Russian national Alexander Vinnik, who had been held by the U.S. on cryptocurrency fraud charges.

Fogel, a history teacher from Pennsylvania, had been serving a 14-year sentence following his 2021 arrest at a Russian airport for possessing marijuana, which his family said was medically prescribed. His release follows the 2022 case of WNBA player Brittney Griner, who was detained for eight months in Russia for carrying cannabis vape cartridges before being freed in a prisoner swap.