PHOTO: INSTAGRAM @ALKIDAVID
Greek billionaire Alkiviades David was arrested by authorities after a search of his private jet yielded around £1 million worth of cannabis. Members of the Anti-Narcotics Unit found approximately 5,000 cannabis plants, an unknown number of seeds, and various other cannabis products.
The 50-year-old billionaire and entrepreneur, who is a resident of the Isle of Man, was detained on the Caribbean Island of St. Kitts after his plane was stopped by customs officials at the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport. He has been charged with Importation of a Controlled Drug into the Federation, Possession of Controlled Drugs, and Possession with Intent to Supply.
David is a member of the Leventis family, who runs Europe’s largest commercial bottling operation. A merger with soft drinks giant Coca-Cola boosted the family’s net worth to £4.6 billion. David himself is estimated to have a net worth of £2.6 billion.
A spokesperson for David told Manx Radio that the authorities were already informed about the cannabis even before the private plane landed. They had been told that the plants are pure hemp, which means that they are non-psychoactive and are therefore legal. However, officials disagree.
It is believed that the cannabis plants are intended for David’s new medical cannabis company in the Caribbean called SwissX. This new venture specializes in cannabidiol (CBD) products.
David paid a $30,000 bail and was released, but not before surrendering all his travel documents. He is also required to report to the Frigate Bay Police Station every day.
This is not the first time David has had a brush with the law. Just last month, he was ordered to pay a former employee £8.5 million for firing her after refusing to perform sexual acts at work.