Russia has detained an American women’s basketball star Brittney Griner by customs agents at an airport next Moscow on drug charges, according to a report in the country’s new agency, Tass.
The timing of the arrest could not have come at a worse time, given the dangerous confrontation between the West and Russia in the war over Ukraine.
The 6-8 Griner is one of the highest profile women’s basketball players in the world. Her story made it to Page 12 of the New York Times Sunday edition.
She was detained several days ago according to the Russian Federal Customs Service, which said its agents had detained her after finding vape cartridges that contained hashish oil in her luggage near Moscow. This is serious stuff. If convicted of large- scale transportation of drugs, the penalty could be 10 years behind bars in Russia.
The Customs agency did not identify the player by name but said in the statement the player had won two Olympic gold medals. Griner had won two golds playing for the U.S. national team in 2016 and again last summer.
The 31-year-old Griner, who is a star for the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA where she makes $227,094, has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg for several years during the off season. She reportedly makes $1.2 million playing for the Russian team. She was headed there when she was detained.
The United States has released an advisory urging U.S citizens to leave Russia immediately, citing the invasion of Ukraine. It warned that Americans could be subject to the potential of harassment by Russian government officials and the limited ability of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow to assist American citizens in the country.
Griner’s agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas did not dispute reports of her client’s detention but told the Times she was in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, his family, her teams and the WNBA and the NBA.
The Russian Customs Service released a video of a traveler at the Sheremetyevo Airport who appeared to be Griner. The video showed an individual removing a package from the travelers’ bag. The screening at the airport occurred in February/
Griner’s agent told the Times she could not comment further on the case, but ”As we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remain our primary concern.”
The WNBA, USA Basketball and the WNBA Players Union have all expressed support for Griner.
