A Moscow court has sentenced Robert Woodland, a US citizen born in Russia, to 12 and a half years in prison for drug trafficking. Woodland, originally named Roman Romanov, was born in 1991 in Russia’s Perm Region. He was adopted by an American family when he was about two years old. In 2020, he returned to Russia to reconnect with his heritage and find his biological mother, whom he eventually met on a Russian TV show.
In early January, Russian authorities arrested Woodland while he was attempting to use a “dead drop” method to distribute mephedrone, a synthetic stimulant. This method is common in dark-web drug trafficking, it involves leaving drugs in hidden locations rather than meeting buyers in person. Police found Woodland transporting a large amount of mephedrone from a pick-up point to an apartment in Moscow for distribution.
During a search of Woodland’s Moscow apartment, police found over 46 grams of mephedrone, which is considered an “exceptionally large” amount under Russian law. This crime carries a potential sentence of 10-20 years. Prosecutors asked for a 12-year sentence, but the court gave Woodland 12 and a half years. His lawyers plan to appeal the decision.
After his arrest, the US State Department called Woodland “wrongfully detained” and pledged to work for his release. Woodland has both US and Russian citizenship, making his legal situation more complex. His case gained international attention due to his unique background and his journey to reconnect with his biological mother in Russia.
Woodland’s case shows the harsh penalties for drug trafficking in Russia and the complications of having dual citizenship. It also highlights the dangers of being involved in drug distribution, especially in countries with strict drug laws.