WNBA star Brittney Griner arrested in Russia 'on drug smuggling charges after vape cartridges were found in luggage'

WNBA star Brittney Griner has reportedly been arrested in Russia on drug smuggling charges.

The Russian Federal Customs Service said it had detained an American basketball player after finding vape cartridges that contained hashish oil in her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow.


In a statement released by the Customs Service, it said the player had won two Olympic gold medals with the US, but the name of the player was not revealed.

However, the Russian news agency TASS, citing a law enforcement sources, identified the player as Brittney Griner, 31.

It is not clear when the arrest took place, but it comes amid escalating tensions between the US and Russia over Vladamir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Griner is a seven-time WNBA All-Star center for the Phoenix Mercury.

She also won gold medals with the US women’s national basketball team in 2021 and 2016.

Phoenix Mercury said in a statement issued Saturday morning: "We are aware of and are closely monitoring the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia. We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, 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."

A video was also released by the Customs Service which showed a traveller at the airport that appeared to look like Griner and was wearing a mask and black sweatshirt, going through security, the New York Times reports.

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The footage also showed a person removing a package from the traveler’s bag.

According to independent Russian news agency Interfax, the arrest happened in February after Griner had flown in from New York.

A criminal case has been opened into the large-scale transportation of drugs, according to the statement, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison in Russia.

The player has been taken into custody while the investigation is ongoing, the officials said.

The WNBA has been contacted by The Sun for comment.

The State Department told The US Sun it was aware of the reports of a US person being arrested in Moscow.

A WNBA spokesperson said in a statement: "Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States."

USA Basketball said in a statement on Twitter: "USA Basketball is aware of and closely monitoring the legal situation facing Brittney Griner in Russia. Brittney has always handled herself with the utmost professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball and her safety and wellbeing are our primary concerns."

The news comes as tensions escalate between the US and Russia over the invasion of Ukraine.

A number of WNBA players compete in Russia, where they can earn lucrative salaries, during the league’s off-season in the US.

Griner has played for the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg for several years.

Some American players began making plans to leave Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The few WNBA players who were competing this off-season in Ukraine are no longer in the country,” the WNBA told ESPN in a statement this week. “The league has also been in contact with WNBA players who are in Russia, either directly or through their agents. We will continue to closely monitor the situation.”


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