A native Estonian on an international wanted list was apprehended Monday at a hideout aptly located on St. Petersburg's Estonia Street.
The 42-year-old man had an outstanding warrant for drug dealing offenses and was caught at about midday on Monday, according to a statement on the regional Interior Ministry website.
He is suspected of trafficking large amounts of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, though it is not clear from the statement whether he committed any crimes in Russia, which has strict drugs laws.
The man, who was not identified, is being held in St. Petersburg while prosecutors decide how best to proceed.
Local police have notified their Estonian counterparts about the arrest, the report said.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
