Former Vice Media editor Pastukhov pulls 9 years for cocaine

Yaroslav Pastukhov was busted when four Canadians and one American were caught at Sydney airport with more than $20m worth of cocaine glued into the lining of their suitcases. Pastukhov pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to import cocaine.

Yaroslav Pastukhov, 28, a former Vice Canada editor, admitted he conspired to import large quantities of cocaine into Australia. Writing under the name Slava Pastuk, he used his high-profile position as music editor to lure drug mules. Five drug couriers were arrested at Sydney airport in 2015 after nearly 40 kilograms of cocaine was found in their suitcases. Each was sentenced to significant prison time. The Australian court heard the packages were for a Mexican drug cartel. Pastukhov is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 31. The prosecution was seeking a 12-year prison term.