Former US basketball star held in Russia on drug charges

Arrest last month of WNBA’s Brittney Griner only announced Sunday; Ekaterinburg player had cannabis oil in luggage, Russia says, potentially putting her in prison for 10 years

AP — WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner was arrested last month at a Moscow airport after Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges.

The Russian Customs Service said Saturday that the cartridges were identified as containing oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The customs service identified the person arrested as a player for the US women’s team and did not specify the date of her arrest.

According to the statement, an inspection of hand luggage carried by a US citizen who arrived on a flight from New York “confirmed the presence of ‘vapes’ (and) a liquid with a specific smell.”

It said an expert had determined that the liquid was the narcotic cannabis oil.

The customs service also released a video on Saturday in which airport security services are seen going through the luggage of a passenger who appears to be Griner.

Russian media reported the player was Griner, and her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, did not dispute those reports.

“We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA,” Kagawa Colas said Saturday. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to comment further on the specifics of her case but can confirm that as we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remain our primary concern.”

Griner’s detention comes as tensions between Moscow and the West have soared over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A Ukrainian man rides his bicycle near a factory and a store burning after it had been bombarded in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, March 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

On Saturday, the US State Department issued a “do not travel” advisory for Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine and urged all US citizens to depart immediately, citing factors including “the potential for harassment against US citizens by Russian government security officials” and “the Embassy’s limited ability to assist” Americans in Russia.

Griner, who plays for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, has played in Russia for the last seven years in the winter, earning over $1 million per season — more than quadruple her WNBA salary. She last played for her Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg on January 29 before the league took a two-week break in early February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments.

The 6-foot-9 (2.06m) center has helped the club to three Russian domestic titles and EuroLeague Women championships in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021.

More than a dozen WNBA players were playing in Russia and Ukraine this winter, including league MVP Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley of the champion Chicago Sky. The WNBA confirmed Saturday that all players besides Griner had left both countries.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) looks to pass as Chicago Sky center Candace Parker defends during the first half of game 1 of the WNBA basketball Finals , in Phoenix, Oct. 10, 2021. (Ralph Freso/AP)

The 31-year-old Griner has won two Olympic gold medals with the US, a WNBA championship with the Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star.

“Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States,” the league said in a statement.

The Mercury added: “We love and support Brittney, and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home.”