Russia Arrests Disney Executive After Airport Baggage Search

A senior Walt Disney Company manager based in New York has been sentenced to 2.5 years in a Russian prison after authorities discovered THC-infused gummies in his luggage during a trip to Moscow, according to reports from Russian state media.

Daterao Jugal Sudhir, 46, was detained after arriving in Russia from Qatar in January 2026 when customs officials allegedly found the cannabis-infused gummies during a routine baggage inspection at the airport.

Sudhir reportedly told authorities that the gummies had been legally prescribed by a doctor in the United States following brain surgery. But that explanation did not prevent Russian prosecutors from pursuing drug smuggling charges in a country known for its strict anti-drug laws and harsh penalties for foreign travelers.

The case has drawn international attention because of its similarities to the high-profile arrest of American basketball star Brittney Griner, who was detained in Moscow in 2022 after authorities found hash oil in her luggage.

Adding another striking connection, the same judge who sentenced Griner was also responsible for Sudhir’s case.

Judge Anna Sotnikova handed down the 2.5-year prison sentence this week, according to reports. Sotnikova became internationally known after sentencing Griner to nine years in a Russian penal colony in 2022. Griner’s arrest sparked a diplomatic standoff between Washington and Moscow before she was eventually released in a prisoner swap later that year.

Sudhir’s professional background has also fueled interest in the case. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has worked as an Enterprise Program Manager for The Walt Disney Company since 2019 and is based in New York.

Reports have identified Sudhir as an Indian national, though it remains unclear whether he also holds U.S. citizenship.

The case serves as another reminder of the serious risks travelers can face when carrying products that may be legal in parts of the United States but remain strictly prohibited overseas. Cannabis-related products, including medical marijuana and THC-infused edibles, are banned in Russia, and authorities have repeatedly shown little tolerance for foreign visitors caught with them.

The Walt Disney Company has not publicly commented on the sentencing. The Daily Beast reported that it reached out to the entertainment giant for a response.

As tensions between Russia and the West remain high, cases involving foreign nationals continue to attract intense scrutiny. For many Americans, the latest conviction is likely to reignite concerns about traveling with prescription medications or cannabis-related products abroad, especially in countries where drug laws are aggressively enforced.

Whether Sudhir’s sentence could eventually become the subject of diplomatic negotiations remains unclear, but his case is already drawing comparisons to one of the most controversial arrests of a foreign traveler in recent years.