The seven-time National Basketball Association Women’s All-Star with the Phoenix Mercury basketball team has been arrested in Russia after customs officials said they found cannabis oil in her luggage at an airport outside Moscow, The New York Times reported. The Russian news agency TASS, citing a law enforcement source, identified the American arrested on drug charges as Griner, 31, who arrived from New York, the report said. Griner’s trials come in the second week of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin on Saturday issued a series of threats against Ukraine and Western powers, saying that the sanctions imposed on his country were “tantamount to a declaration of war.”
The Russian Federal Customs Service did not identify the woman as Griner in a statement cited by the Russian news agency Interfax as saying: “Because the US citizen was passing through the green corridor at Sheremetyevo Airport upon arrival from New York, the Sheremetyevo Customs Canine Department sniffer dog identified possible presence of narcotic substances in accompanied baggage.
“Customs screening of the hand luggage of a US citizen confirmed the presence of vapes with a specific smelling liquid, and the expert determined that the liquid is cannabis oil (hash oil), which is a narcotic substance,” customs said. the message says.
Griner’s wife, Cherell Griner, posted a photo of herself and her wife on Instagram on Saturday, thanking those who have prayed and supported the basketball star’s safe return to the United States.
“I love my wife with all my heart, so this message comes at one of the weakest moments in my life,” Sherel Griner wrote in her Instagram post. “I understand that many of you have come to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please respect our privacy as we continue to work towards my wife’s safe return home.”
Interfax, citing the customs service, reported that a US citizen was detained and arrested, and noted that a criminal case had been opened against her.
A State Department spokesman told CNN on Saturday: “We are aware of reports of a US citizen being arrested in Moscow. Whenever a US citizen is arrested abroad, we are ready to provide all necessary consular services.”
Griner currently plays for the Russian team UMMC Yekaterinburg. Griner has been playing with the team since the 2015 WNBA offseason. In five games this season, she is averaging 13.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
The star player, who won the WNBA championship with the Mercury in 2014, averaged 20.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for Phoenix last season. Griner is also a two-time FIBA Women’s World Championship medalist with Team USA.
CNN has reached out to a representative for Griner for comment.
USA Basketball, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the Mercury, and the WNBA players’ union have publicly shared their concerns about Griner.
USA Basketball, the sport’s governing body in the United States, said in a statement that it “is aware of and is closely following the legal situation Britney Griner is facing in Russia. Britney always carried herself with the utmost professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball. and her safety and well-being are our primary concern.”
The WNBA said Griner had “full support”, adding that her top priority was “her quick and safe return to the United States”.
The Phoenix Mercury said they are “closely monitoring the situation with Britney Griner in Russia” as they are in “constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and the NBA. We love and support Britney and our primary concern at this time is her safety, physical and mental health and her safe return home.”
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association said in a statement that it is “aware of the situation in Russia regarding one of our members, Britney Griner. We are extremely concerned about BG’s safety and well being. support. We will continue to monitor closely and look forward to her return to the US.”