Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko, detained in May in Liberia and sent to the United States, is accused of transporting four metric tons of cocaine for $5.7 million, Kommersant reported Wednesday.
U.S. prosecutors believe that Yaroshenko has trafficked illegal drugs since 2007, the report said.
The Russian Embassy in Washington has complained to the U.S. State Department that Yaroshenko was arrested and brought to U.S. soil without Moscow receiving proper notification.
Kommersant said Yaroshenko agreed at a meeting in Kiev in March to transport the cocaine from South America to Liberia and Ghana, which are used as transit points in a roundabout route to the United States.
Yaroshenko and five other suspects face up to 40 years in prison if convicted on drug trafficking charges.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
