Disney executive found guilty in Russian cannabis gummies case

Disney executive convicted in Russian cannabis gummies case / Photo: Shutterstock, photo editor: Adelina Mamedova

Daterao Jugal Sudhir, a senior manager at The Walt Disney Company, was sentenced to prison after cannabis-infused gummies were found in his possession at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo International Airport, according to TASS.

The Indian citizen was convicted of narcotics possession and drug smuggling.

Prosecutors requested a prison sentence of 6 1/2 years and a fine of 500,000 rubles. The court, however, handed down a lighter sentence of 2 1/2 years in prison and a fine of 30,000 rubles.

Defense cites medical use

The defense said Sudhir had been prescribed the THC-infused gummies following brain surgery. In court, Sudhir said he used the substance solely for medical purposes.

Sudhir was detained in January after arriving from Qatar at Sheremetyevo International Airport. During a security screening, customs officials discovered gummies containing THC in his luggage.

Role at Disney

According to public records, Sudhir oversees more than 20 projects at The Walt Disney Company, including partnership integrations involving Disney+ and the streaming platform Hulu.