Convicted drug addicts to get reprieve for medical treatmentRussia’s Supreme Court has ruled that first-time offenders convicted of drug possession be given a reprieve for medical treatment.13:36 30.06.2015
Five Russians sentenced to long prison terms for smuggling drugs from ChinaFive members of a criminal gang were sentenced to long prison sentences ranging between 18 and 22 years for smuggling synthetic drugs from China to Russia.12:38 07.05.2015
Nemtsov murder suspects may be charged with drug trafficking - reportFive suspects in the murder of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov are under investigation for alleged drug trafficking.10:32 13.04.2015
Penalties for drug possession should be revised - officialPenalties for drug possession should be revised as drug possession without intent to sell or distribute should not be considered a grave offence, Viktor Ivanov, head of Russia's Federal Drug Control Service, told journalists on Monday.10:34 30.03.2015
US court rejects Russia’s recommendations for new Yaroshenko trialThe United States District Court for the Southern District of New York has dismissed Russia’s appeal to present an argument in favor of a new trial in the case of pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko who is serving a 20-year prison sentence in the US for plotting to smuggle drugs.11:30 24.02.2015
HSBC suspected of laundering money for dictators, drug and arms dealersThe International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) claims that the Geneva branch of one of the world’s biggest banks, HSBC, kept secret accounts of criminals, including drug and arms dealers.10:16 09.02.2015
Russia's health ministry pledges not to disclose school drug test resultsRussia's Health Ministry will guarantee the confidentiality of the results of mandatory drug testing in public schools, according to Tatyana Klimenko, an aide to the health minister.15:58 30.01.2015
US diplomats in Colombia aided in spying on Russian pilot Yaroshenko - lawyerAn employee of the US embassy in Colombia allegedly handed over spying equipment to an agent of the US Drug Enforcement Administration who could later use it to collect evidence in the Russian pilot Konstantin Yaroshenko’s case.10:38 15.01.2015
New materials in jailed Russian pilot Yaroshenko's case uncovered in USThe defense team of Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot who has been convicted for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States and sentenced to 20 years in prison, has informed the court of the existence of documents that could prove the pilot’s innocence.10:47 14.01.2015
Wrestler sentenced to 5 years in absentia in Russia extradited from ThailandThai authorities have extradited wrestler Igor Cherkesov, who was sentenced to 5 years in absentia in Russia and placed on the international wanted list for large-scale smuggling of anabolic steroids.11:06 26.12.2014
Criminal liability for promoting drugs online proposed in RussiaThe Federal Drug Control Service has proposed introducing criminal liability for creating, administering and promoting websites that sell or advertise drugs.11:09 24.12.2014
Russian mass media regulator blacklists Wikipedia article on heroinThe Federal Agency for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) has included the Wikipedia article on heroin in the list of banned web pages.14:57 16.12.2014
Russian national arrested in Bali for drug trafficking may face death sentenceA Russian national has been arrested in Bali on drug sale charges. According to Indonesian law, she could face capital punishment, RIA Novosti reports on Thursday citing an official spokesperson for Indonesian customs.11:31 11.12.2014
US prosecutors witheld evidence in Yaroshenko case - lawyerUS prosecutors witheld evidence in the case against Konstantin Yaroshenko, a Russian pilot who had been convicted for conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the United States and sentenced to 20 years in prison, RIA Novosti reported on Thursday, citing Yaroshenko's lawyer Alexei Tarasov.10:36 11.12.2014
Russian and US drug authorities limit cooperation amid sanctionsCooperation between Russian and US drug police has dropped considerably amid the sanctions implemented against Russia, Federal Drugs Control Service chief Viktor Ivanov told RIA Novosti on Tuesday.15:51 18.11.2014
Putin suggests banning synthetic cannabis in RussiaPresident Vladimir Putin has submitted a bill to the State Duma to prohibit the sale of new psychoactive products called synthetic cannabis (synthetic marijuana), which are sold as natural narcotics under brand names like K2 and Spice, RIA Novosti reported on Thursday.12:10 30.10.2014
Siberian court acquits doctor in prescription dealing caseThe Oktyabrsky District Court of Krasnoyarsk found Doctor Alevtina Khorinyak not guilty of selling a strong opiate medicinal drug out of jurisdiction, attorney Vyacheslav Bogdanov told RAPSI on Tuesday.13:18 21.10.2014
Over 1,500 pounds of herbal smoking mixtures seized in Russian drug raidAbout 700 kilograms (over 1,500 pounds) of concentrated Chinese herbal smoking mixtures have been seized in 15 Russian regions in a large-scale operation called The Eastern Express.15:43 02.09.2014
Russian national accused of drug trafficking in Maldives demands translator – reportA Russian makeup artist, Angelina Purtova, who was arrested in Maldives on suspicion of being involved in drug trafficking, asked for an interpreter.17:04 13.08.2014
South African drug dealer Bely to be tried in RussiaAlexander Bely, who permanently resides in South Africa, will be tried in a Russian court on criminal charges for organized smuggling and a number of other crimes, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced on its website Monday.14:00 11.08.2014