Phoenix Mercury Star Brittney Griner Is Arrested in Russia on Drug Trafficking Charges Over Vape Cartridges
American basketball star Brittney Griner has been detained in Russia after Moscow-area airport authorities said they found a vape pen holder containing hash oil in her belongings, according to reports.
The all-star WNBA player Phoenix Mercury is currently being investigated for drug trafficking charges, Russia’s Federal Customs Service said in a statement today, Russia’s Federal Customs Service said in a statement on Saturday. Saturday, an offense can lead to a 10-year prison sentence. Russian media reported that Griner was arrested in February, although reports do not specify an exact date. Griner hasn’t posted on his Instagram account since February 5.
According to the Customs Service, Griner was arriving at Moscow-based Sheremetyevo airport on a flight from New York when a police dog alerted officials to her luggage.. Released video shows Griner’s bag being checked. Her items were then X-rayed, where vape cartridges containing the alleged addictive cannabis oil were discovered. Griner has been in Russian police custody since his arrest.
In addition to playing for the Phoenix Mercury in the US, Griner also plays for the Russian women’s basketball league, playing for Yekaterinburg UMMC since 2015. Their season is ongoing, and Griner seems to have played the last time for the team in January.
Griner’s arrest and detention comes at a time when Russia’s relations with Western countries are becoming seriously strained due to Russia’s gratuitous invasion of Ukraine. This country has a history of arresting and convicting Americans on bogus or higher crimes New York Times.
“I obviously don’t know the circumstances of her detention, but Griner’s arrest should be a wake-up call for all Americans in Russia,” Michael A. McFaul, a former US ambassador to Moscow told the magazine. “Get out. Close your businesses now”.
Griner’s current partner Cherelle Watson Griner has yet to make any statement regarding Griner’s arrest, nor her immediate family members.
Her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, said that Griner family members were made aware of her detention, adding, “As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are unable to comment. more on the specifics of her case but can confirm that as we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remains our top concern “.
In a statement, the Phoenix Mercury said it is “closely monitoring the situation” with Griner and “in constant communication with her family, her representatives, the WNBA and the 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. research adds. The WNBA released a similar statement, stating their main priority was to get her home safely as soon as possible.
