Indian-born Disney manager Jugal Daterao sentenced to 2.5 years in prison in Russia in drug case

An Indian-origin manager at the Walt Disney Company has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for drug possession and smuggling. The case stems from THC-infused gummies allegedly found in his luggage at a Moscow airport.According to Russian state media TASS, 46-year-old Jugal Daterao was arrested in January 2026 after arriving at Sheremetyevo International Airport on a flight connecting via Qatar. Customs officials allegedly discovered the cannabis-infused gummies during a routine luggage check.A court in Russia’s Moscow region found Datron guilty of drug possession and smuggling and sentenced him to two years and six months in a medium-security penal colony. He was also fined 30,000 rubles (approximately $420).In court proceedings, Datron argued that the gummies are legally prescribed in the United States to help manage the long-term effects of brain surgery. However, the court rejected his defense and found him guilty under Russian drug laws.According to the Moscow Times, Russian media confirmed that Datraw is an Indian citizen, but it is unclear whether he also holds U.S. citizenship.

Who is Jugal Datrau?

Daterao describes himself on LinkedIn as a technology executive and project director in New York. According to his profile, he has been working at The Walt Disney Company since 2019, overseeing entertainment and technology-related projects.His social media profiles indicate that he lives in New Jersey, United States. Russian reports did not specify the purpose of his visit to Russia.