In a Russian Interior Ministry handout from January, Butler native Marc H. Fogel is shown on security footage being detained in August 2021 at Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow. Fogel was charged with drug smuggling and possession by Russian authorities and sentenced to 14 years in a Moscow prison.

Tucker

After detaining Butler native Marc H. Fogel at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport in August 2021, Russian authorities in January finally shared details of the situation that resulted in his arrest, conviction and sentencing for alleged drug smuggling and possession.

A CBS News article from January reported that Russia’s Interior Ministry stated Fogel, who graduated from Butler Area High School in 1980, tried to smuggle drugs into Russia in his luggage.

“The drugs were carefully disguised: marijuana was packaged in contact lens case, and cannabis oil was contained in e-cigarette cartridges,” a statement from the ministry said. “All of it was wrapped in plastic and hidden in his sneakers.“

The CBS article said Fogel is facing charges in Moscow of smuggling and possession of “narcotic substances on a large scale.”

He was recently sentenced to 14 years in a Moscow prison for the alleged crimes.

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