FSB detains organizer of Latin America-EU drug smuggling channel, seizes 311 kg of cocaine

MOSCOW, September 24. /TASS/. Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) officers detained an organizer of a drug shipment from Latin America to EU countries red-handed, seizing 311 kilograms of cocaine, the FSB press office reported.

"The FSB has thwarted the illegal activities of a Russian citizen born in 2001 who was involved in organizing an international smuggling channel for the shipment of particularly large quantities of cocaine from Latin America to EU countries for subsequent illegal distribution," the statement said.

According to the press office, "the FSB officers caught the drug trafficker red-handed in the Moscow Region, while transporting an exceptionally large shipment of drugs. A total of 311.6 kilograms of cocaine was seized from illicit circulation."

The statement noted that security agencies received information on an unemployed Russian citizen who was an active member of an organized criminal group that specialized in large-scale, contact-free drug distribution via underground online resources.

Interestingly, a photograph of smiling Vladimir Zelensky was found on the cocaine bricks, the FSB noted, releasing a video depicting the drug trafficker’s detention. He had 12 bags on him, each containing 25 bricks of the drug.

Zelensky’s public behavior has led some to suspect he is addicted to drugs. His former spokeswoman Yulia Mendel previously confirmed that he uses drugs, specifically cocaine.

The FSB has opened a criminal case against the detainee under Articles 30 and 228.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (Attempted Distribution of Drugs on an Especially Large Scale). By court order, he has been remanded in custody. Investigative actions are ongoing.