Russia released Brittney Griner in exchange for Viktor Bout on Thursday. While many have celebrated her release, others have also shared their concerns regarding the release of a dangerous arms dealer. Ever since the prisoner swap happened, many have slammed the decision to give up the “merchant of death” for a one-for-one swap. There have been reports that revealed a number of high-ranking officials in the Justice Department were against the Biden administration’s swap deal. Recently, the DEA agent who helped put Bout behind bars also criticized the deal, alongside raising concerns regarding Bout’s release.

Tom Pasquarello was the regional director of the Drug Enforcement Administration when Bout was put behind bars. It was one of the DEA agent’s proudest achievements. Bout was reportedly sentenced to 25 years in federal prison on charges of providing weapons to terrorists and conspiring to kill Americans.

DEA official criticizes the Brittney Griner prisoner swap deal

In an interview for Yahoo Sports on Thursday, Tom Pasquarello stated his opinion about the prisoner swap deal between the two countries. He relayed his disbelief on the issue and suggested that releasing Bout could be a threat to Americans around the world. “I’m kind of in disbelief that someone with the potential to orchestrate arms deals that can kill Americans anywhere in the world would be traded for a prisoner,” Pasquarello said.

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He also added that Bout can get back to business very easily and talked about his ability to operate from safe spots. “I think it’s very easy for him to get back into business,” Pasquarello said.

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“I’ve heard that Viktor’s not a threat, that he can’t travel anymore, that he’s going to be isolated. He was like that for 10 years before we arrested him. He knew he couldn’t go anywhere and he still operated from his safe spots,” he added.

Pasquarello even claimed releasing someone as dangerous as Bout for Brittney Griner was like a “free deal.” He could not understand why the country could not get back more detained Americans for the arms dealer.

Furthermore, he added the deal sends a bad message to the world that the U.S. will make concessions if an American is held overseas. He is not alone to think along these lines.

Fear of another possible threat

Yuval Weber, an expert, feared the prisoner swap deal could lead to more issues for Americans around the world. He was worried this deal could lead to U.S. citizens being kidnapped or imprisoned on fake charges.

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The rumors about a potential prisoner swap started a few weeks after Griner was detained. When Bout’s name was thrown around, many fans did not like the idea. However, the deal was finalized by the two countries and Bout was released.