US Tourist Arrested For Leaving Can of Coke For Untouched Tribe on Forbidden Island

A US tourist arrested for leaving a can of Coke for an untouched tribe on the remote and protected North Sentinel Island is facing serious backlash—and possible legal consequences. Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, a controversial travel influencer, was apprehended by Indian authorities after making an unauthorized landing near the isolated tribe.

North Sentinel Island is strictly off-limits to outsiders under Indian law due to health risks to the tribe and their long-standing desire for isolation.

Why North Sentinel Island Is Off-Limits—and What This Tourist Did Anyway

North Sentinel Island, part of India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is home to the Sentinelese people, one of the last remaining uncontacted tribes in the world. The tribe has made it crystal clear for centuries that they do not want outside interaction. In fact, even Indian law forbids any person from coming within five nautical miles of the island.

Despite this, Polyakov made landfall last week using a Gemini inflatable boat, which he reportedly launched on his own from a nearby area. According to Daily Mail, this was not his first visit to the island—he had also been to it in October and January.

Police recovered a stash of gear from his hotel room at The Andaman Sunset View, including:

• Binoculars
• Fuel containers
• A GoPro with sensitive footage
• A life jacket
• Maps and documents detailing the island’s layout

Most shocking? Polyakov allegedly left behind a can of Coca-Cola as a “gift” for the Sentinelese.

‘Using binoculars, he surveyed the area but saw no inhabitants. He landed briefly for about five minutes, left the offerings on the shore, collected sand samples, and recorded a video before returning to his boat. He remained offshore for an hour, blowing a whistle in an attempt to attract attention but received no response. At 1pm he started his return journey and reached Kurma Dera Beach by 7pm, where he was spotted by local fisherman.’

Who Is Mykhailo Polyakov? From Taliban Encounters to Isolated Tribe Trespassing

Polyakov is no stranger to controversial travel headlines. His YouTube channel, which boasts thousands of subscribers, documents his visits to high-risk areas, including Afghanistan, where he filmed himself hanging out with members of the Taliban—all while ignoring US State Department warnings that rank the country as Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Five months ago, he teased his audience about wanting to visit North Sentinel Island, raising eyebrows even before this week’s arrest. Local law enforcement now claims his GoPro footage could be used as evidence showing him entering tribal territory and even claiming unofficial representation of the United States—a statement the US has not acknowledged.

Conclusion: US Tourist Arrested For Leaving Can of Coke For Untouched Tribe—A Dangerous Game for Clout

Authorities have confirmed that the US Embassy, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Home Department have all been formally notified of the arrest. The Director General of Police in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands also stated that additional details have emerged surrounding Polyakov’s motives and plans related to visiting the forbidden island.