American musician arrested in Moscow on suspicion of drug trafficking

An American musician and former American paratrooper has been arrested in Moscow in a ‘drug case’.

Travis Leake, 51, has been detained by a court for two months on suspicion of illegal large-scale production, sale or shipment of narcotics.

He faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted.

A Russian woman reported him to law enforcement agencies for supplying drugs, according to media reports in Russia.

Leake has been living and working in Russia for more than ten years.

A Russian woman reported him to law enforcement agencies for supplying drugs, according to media reports in Russia

He faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted. Leake has been living and working in Russia for over ten years (pictured holding Leake)

Before that, he fought in Iraq for the US military, it is reported.

He was held with a close Russian girlfriend named Valeria Grobanyuk.

A few days ago, a search was carried out by armed agents at the American’s apartment on Zaporozhskaya Street in Moscow, reports said.

The allegations would relate to the delivery of Mephedrone.

A source at Moscow’s Khamovniki District Court said: “Travis Michael Leake was given a preventive measure in the form of detention.”

He will be held until August 6.

Leake had worked as a singer or producer for several Russian rock bands.

He has been associated with Lovi Noch – ‘Seize the Night’ – band.

A few days ago, a search was carried out by armed agents at the American’s apartment on Zaporozhskaya Street in Moscow, reports said.

Leake had worked as a singer or producer for several Russian rock bands. He has been associated with Lovi Noch – ‘Seize the Night’ – band

A source at Moscow’s Khamovniki District Court said: ‘Travis Michael Leake received a preventive measure in the form of detention’

Reports of his detention stated that he had visited Ukraine during the 2014 revolution.

According to the channel REN TV, a suspicious substance was found in his apartment on Zaporozhskaya Street in Moscow.

It was sent for examination, along with scales and other items.

According to Russian media reports, Leake had initially told investigators that he did not know what he was accused of.

Later, the American retracted his earlier testimony and told police that he had decided to set up a small but profitable venture for the sale of Mephedrone in Russia, reports said.

It is unclear whether he was forcibly forced to confess.

There was no independent confirmation of this claim that the alleged supply had been to young people, mainly women.

According to the channel REN TV, a suspicious substance was found in his apartment on Zaporozhskaya Street in Moscow

According to Russian media reports, Leake had initially told investigators that he did not know what he was accused of

Later, the American retracted his earlier testimony and told police that he had decided to set up a small but profitable venture for the sale of Mephedrone in Russia, reports said. It is unclear whether he was forcibly forced to confess

During the war in Ukraine, it is suspected that Russia is arresting foreigners – especially Americans – on whatever pretext they have in exchange for the return of alleged Russian criminals held in the West.

Russia is currently detaining American journalist Evan Gershkovich, 31, on alleged espionage charges.

It is the first time since the Soviet era that Moscow has accused an American journalist of espionage, and it comes during the war in Ukraine that has led to very tense East-West relations.

In December, after months of negotiations, the US and Russia exchanged American basketball star Brittney Griner, detained in Moscow, for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

Former US Marine Paul Whelan remains detained in Russia.