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Man Arrested for Drug Possession in Siberia Claims He Won Them Online

Lance Cpl. Damany S. Coleman / Wikicommons

In the Siberian city of Tomsk, a man has been arrested for possession of drugs which he claims he won in an online competition, the website of the local transport police reported Thursday.

Police reported that they found the man in an “inadequate” condition at a Tomsk train station. They discovered more than 5 grams of white powder in the man's pocket which appeared to be spice — a synthetic drug.

The man, 20, told police he received the drugs as a prize after winning an essay competition run by a website that sells the drug.

He wrote an essay about the effects of the drug and after a few days was contacted by website admins, who told him where to find a stash of the drug as a prize.

His winning essay was published on the website, he told the police.

A criminal case was opened on charges of drug possession The man faces three to ten years in prison if convicted.

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