WNBA Star Brittney Griner Arrested In Russia For Allegedly Smuggling Drugs

WNBA Star Brittney Griner Arrested In Russia On Drug Charges

WNBA All-Star and Olympic champion Brittney Griner is facing between 5 to 10 years in a Russian prison after she was arrested on drug smuggling charges when she was found with vape cartridges in her carry-on luggage at a Moscow airport.

Many online Russian sources claim that Brittney was found with a “large amount” of cartridges in her baggage, suggesting that the drugs may not have been just for her consumption.

Russia’s Interfax news agency said a female US basketball player was arrested in February, at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow after arriving on a flight from New York.

 

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A drug sniffing dog indicated narcotics in luggage, and when the bag was X-rayed, “so-called ‘vapes’” were discovered “with a specific order,” according to Interfax, which cited the Russian Federal Customs Service.

“The expert found that the liquid is a narcotic drug cannabis oil (hashish oil),” Interax said.

Interfax said she was detained as a “preventive measure.” There was no indication she was released.

Cannabis in Russia is illegal. Possession of up to 6 grams (or two grams of hashish) is an administrative offense, punishable by a fine or detention of 15 days. There are speculation that Brittney’s possession is of a larger amount, and therefore is a criminal offense.