US Citizen Travis Leake Detained in Moscow on Drug Charges
US musician, ex-paratrooper Michael Travis Leake arrested in Moscow on drug trafficking charges
An American musician who has lived in Russia for more than a decade has been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking, Russian news media reported Saturday.
The reports said Michael Travis Leake is suspected of selling mephedrone, whose effects are similar to those of cocaine and MDMA.
A Moscow court ordered him to be held for two months in pre-trial detention, the reports said.
He faces charges of production or distribution of drugs, which carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Who Is Michael Travis Leake? U.S. Musician Arrested in Moscow
An American citizen, described as both a musician and an ex-paratrooper, has been arrested in Moscow, according to Russian courts in the capital.
The U.S. citizen, identified as Michael Travis Leake, was arrested on drug charges on Saturday, according to a statement published by Moscow's general jurisdiction courts. He is suspected of selling a drug named mephedrone, causing effects similar to cocaine or MDMA, The Associated Press reported.
US citizen detained on drug charges in Moscow identified as rock band manager Travis Leake
A US citizen has been detained in Russia, according to a Telegram statement from Moscow’s courts of general jurisdiction.
The man was detained on Saturday where “the Khamovniki District Court of Moscow took a preventive measure against an American citizen,” it said.
A court statement identified the man as “Travis Michael Leek” – a spelling of his name that has since been disputed.
“The former paratrooper and musician is accused of engaging in the narcotics business through attracting young people,” the statement said.