Trump secures release of American citizen jailed in Russia on drug charges

Kalob Byers, a 28-year-old American citizen who was detained in Russia on drug smuggling charges earlier this month, has been released and is now at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, awaiting his return to the United States.

Byers was taken into custody on February 7 at Vnukovo Airport in Moscow after Russian customs officials claimed to have discovered cannabis-laced marmalade in his luggage.

He had reportedly traveled from Istanbul alongside his Russian fiancée, who was also detained. Authorities accused Byers of attempting to smuggle a “significant amount” of drugs into the country, a charge that carries a prison sentence of up to 10 years under Russian law.

Late Sunday evening, Byers was released from custody, a U.S. official confirmed to the Associated Press. His release follows growing concerns over the detention of American citizens in Russia, particularly on drug-related charges, which have been a source of diplomatic tension between Washington and Moscow.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented on Byers’ release, suggesting that it could be linked to ongoing discussions between the U.S. and Russia. “Moscow expects to discuss restoring the entire complex of Russian-American relations at talks set to take place in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday,” Peskov stated. “So certain events can be viewed in this context.”

The scheduled discussions in Saudi Arabia will focus on Ukraine peace negotiations and broader U.S.-Russia relations. Key American representatives, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, are set to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and presidential aide Yuri Ushakov.

While it remains unclear whether Byers’ release was directly tied to these upcoming talks, his case echoes previous incidents where detained Americans have become focal points in diplomatic negotiations.

Byers’ release follows the case of Marc Fogel, a U.S. teacher who had been imprisoned in Russia since 2021 for bringing medical marijuana into the country.

Fogel’s release marked a significant development in U.S.-Russia detainee relations, and Byers’ case further highlights the complexities surrounding legal charges against American citizens abroad.

Russia has been known to enforce strict drug laws, with multiple foreign nationals, including high-profile Americans, facing lengthy prison sentences over minor drug-related offenses.

This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.