Russia’s Federal Customs Service confirmed on Friday that a 28-year-old American citizen was arrested after customs officials discovered cannabis-infused jam in his luggage, Russian news agency Interfax reported.

According to the same source, Russian police have initiated criminal proceedings against the individual for “large-scale drug smuggling.”

Mash, a Telegram channel with sources in Russian intelligence services, reported on Friday that Russian authorities detained an American citizen at a Moscow airport on charges of illegal drug trafficking.

According to the report, the American, allegedly named K. Byers, was arrested upon arrival at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport and now faces a potential seven-year prison sentence if convicted. The same report states that half a kilo of marijuana was found in his suitcase.

The news comes just days after Moscow released Mark Fogel, an American educator who had been sentenced to 14 years in prison for bringing medical marijuana into Russia. Fogel was freed in exchange for Alexander Vinnik, a Russian citizen convicted in the U.S. in 2024 for conspiracy to launder money through the BTC-e cryptocurrency platform.

American citizens have been repeatedly arrested in Russia under the country’s strict drug laws. In 2022, basketball player Brittney Griner was detained and sentenced to nine years in prison for carrying marijuana oil. She was released the same year as part of a prisoner exchange between Russia and the U.S.