11:27 a.m. ET
Meshel VoepelESPN.com
Close
- Mechelle Voepel covers the WNBA, women’s college basketball and other college sports for espnW. Voepel began covering women’s basketball in 1984 and has been with ESPN since 1996.
WNBA player Britney Greener has been detained in Russia after customs officials said they found hash oil in her luggage at an airport outside Moscow in February, according to a report in the New York Times on Saturday.
Russia’s Federal Customs Service on Saturday said it had searched luggage believed to be Griner’s and found vape cartridges containing cannabis-derived oil, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Although Greener’s name was not released, customs officials identified the detainee as a US women’s team player, but did not specify the date of her arrest.
Customs released a video of a man who looks like Griner, 6ft 9in, walking through airport security.
“We are aware of the situation with Britney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representative in Russia, her family, her teams, as well as the WNBA and NBA,” said Lindsay Kagawa Kolas, Griner’s agent at the Wasserman Group. ESPN via a statement on Saturday. “Because this is an ongoing legal matter, we cannot comment on the details of her case, but we can confirm that while we work to bring her home, her mental and physical health remains our top concern.”
On Jan. 23, the State Department issued an alert to Russia warning Americans against traveling to Russia due to “possibility of harassment of US citizens, limited embassy capacity to assist US citizens in Russia, COVID-19.” and related entry restrictions, terrorism, harassment by the Russian state security services, and the arbitrary application of local laws.”
On Saturday, nine days after Russia launched its military invasion of Ukraine, another “do not travel” warning was issued.
The United States Embassy in Moscow sent out a security alert on February 27 stating: “More airlines are canceling flights to and from Russia, and many countries have closed their airspace to Russian airlines. US citizens should consider leaving Russia. immediately through the commercial options that are still available.”
Last week, WNBA players in Russia were fleeing the country after the invasion of Ukraine. A WNBA spokesman said on Saturday that, apart from Griner, all league players who played either in Russia or Ukraine this winter are now out of those countries.
“We are aware of the situation in Russia regarding one of our members, Britney Griner. We are extremely concerned about the safety and well being of BG,” 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 monitor closely and look forward to her return to the US.”
Like many WNBA players, the 31-year-old Griner played overseas during the winter months for a long time, most recently in Russia.
“Britney Greener has the full support of the WNBA and our top priority is her quick and safe return to the United States,” the league said in a statement to ESPN.
Griner played nine seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, who lost in the WNBA Finals last October to Chicago. She won the championship with Mercury in 2014 and gold medals with the United States at the 2016 and 2021 Olympics.
“Britney has always conducted herself with the utmost professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball, and her safety and well-being are our primary concern,” USA Basketball said in a statement.
The WNBA’s Mercury said they were “in constant contact” with the Griner family, their spokesperson, as well as the WNBA and 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,” Mercury said in a statement Saturday.
Longtime women’s basketball agent Mike Kaund told ESPN on Feb. 27 that players in Russia are urgently working to get out of Russia.
“For me, this is far from ‘considering’ leaving,” Kaund said at the time. “In the last few minutes I have been on the phone with two players discussing flights. It’s really urgent right now, given that the number of flights departing from Russia is declining and it will be difficult to get them anytime soon.”