MOSCOW, June 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. citizen, a musician and a former paratrooper, has been detained in Russia on charges of organising a drug trafficking operation, a Moscow court said on Saturday.

"On June 10, 2023, Moscow's Khamovniki District Court took a measure of restraint against a U.S. citizen," according to a statement on the Telegram messaging app by Moscow's courts of general jurisdiction.

"The former paratrooper and a musician, who is accused of running a drug dealing business involving young people, will remain in custody until Aug. 6, 2023."

Reuters could not independently verify the reports.

Russia's Interfax news agency reported that if found guilty, the man can face up to 12 years in prison.

The U.S. State Department did not immediately reply to a request for a comment.