NEW YORK — 'I'm very disgusted,' Derek Maltz, who oversaw the Drug Enforcement Administration's investigation of Viktor Bout, told ABC News after Bout was traded for Brittney Griner. 'It's really upsetting to me.'
Arms Trafficking Suspect Viktor Bout Arrives In New YorkDecember 08, 2022 at 9:05 am EST
On Thursday, the WNBA star was swapped for Bout -- a Russian convicted arms dealer who spend 15 years in U.S. prison -- in an international prisoner exchange. Griner was serving a nine-year sentence in a Russian prison for possession of vaping cartridges containing hashish oil, which is illegal in Russia, before the exchange.
"DEA was asked to help take this guy down because he was such a national security threat," Maltz said."We at the DEA were just trying to step up to the plate and do the right thing for national security." "Viktor Bout was ready to sell a weapons arsenal that would be the envy of any small country," Maltz said.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brittney Griner live updates: Brittney Griner arrives back in the United StatesThe U.S. has swapped WNBA star Brittney Griner for convicted Russian arms dealer Viktor bout, according to a senior U.S. official.
Read more »
Brittney Griner live updates: WNBA star swapped for Viktor Bout in prisoner exchangeBREAKING: Brittney Griner released from Russia in a prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor Bout, according to a senior U.S. official.
Read more »
Brittney Griner released by Russia in prisoner swap for arms dealer Viktor BoutWNBA star Brittney Griner, who was held for months in Russian prisons on drug charges, was released Thursday in a one-for-one prisoner swap for international arms dealer Viktor Bout, multiple news agencies are reporting.
Read more »
Russia frees WNBA star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap; US releases arms dealer Viktor Bout | LIVEThe swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price.
Read more »
Russia frees WNBA star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap; US releases arms dealer Viktor Bout | LIVEThe swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price.
Read more »
Russia frees WNBA star Brittney Griner in prisoner swap; US releases arms dealer Viktor Bout | LIVEThe swap, at a time of heightened tensions over Ukraine, achieved a top goal for President Joe Biden, but carried a heavy price.
Read more »