According to the New York Times, WNBA player Brittney Griner is detained in Russia after customs officials said they found hashish oil in her luggage.
The Russian Federal Customs Service said on Saturday that it searched Griner’s luggage and found vape cartridges containing oil extracted from cannabis in February at a nearby airport in Moscow. Since the drug is illegal in the country, those with possession of cannabis could face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Though the customs service did not mention the 31-year old’s name, it said the person detained is a U.S. women’s basketball player.
In addition, the customs service did not note how long Griner would be in detainment.
The agency released a video of what appeared to be the Phoenix Mercury star going through airport security.
“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,” her agent Lindsay Kagawa Colas told ESPN in a statement 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.”
In January, the State Department issued a statement, telling Americans “do not travel” to Russia because of “the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens, the embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, harassment by Russian government security officials, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law.”
On Saturday, a second travel advisory was issued just nine days after Russia invaded Ukraine. However, WNBA players in Russia have fled the country following the invasion of Ukraine. On Saturday, a spokesperson for the league said that aside from Griner, the other WNBA players have left both Russia and Ukraine after being expected to compete in upcoming games this winter.
“We are aware of the situation in Russia concerning one of our members, Brittney Griner. Our utmost concern is B.G.’s safety and well-being,” the WNBA players’ union said in a statement to ESPN on Saturday. “On behalf of The 144, we send our love and support. We will continue to closely monitor and look forward to her return to the U.S.”
When the WNBA season ends, many players head overseas to compete in the winter games for a championship. Griner has played overseas for several winters and recently played for the UMMC Ekaterinburg on Jan. 29 in Russia.
“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 to ESPN.
The Mercury released a statement saying they were “in constant contact” with Griner’s family, her agent, as well as the WNBA and NBA.
“We love and support Brittney, and at this time, our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home,” the team said in a statement Saturday.
Griner has played for the Mercury for nine seasons and won a championship in 2014. In addition, she won two gold medals in the U.S. Olympics in 2016 and 2021, per ESPN.
“Brittney has always handled herself with the utmost professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball, and her safety anwell-beinging are our primary concerns,” USA Basketball said in a statement.
A criminal case has been filed against Griner while being held during a pending investigation. She faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.
