Russia says it's holding an American WNBA star in custody after discovering vapes and hashish oil in her luggage

WNBA star Brittney Griner was detained at the Sheremetyevo airport near Moscow, according to The New York Times.
Griner, 31, was detained as a "preventive measure," according to Russia's Interfax news agency.
Griner's team, the Phoenix Mercury, released a statement saying it's "closely monitoring the situation."

Seven-time WNBA All-Star player Brittney Griner is being held in custody by Russian officials after she was arrested at a Moscow airport.

Vape cartridges containing hashish oil were found in her luggage at Sheremetyevo Airport after she arrived in Russia from New York, according to The New York Times.

Russian news sources said she was arrested in February. Russia's Interfax news agency said a drug-sniffing dog uncovered "so-called 'vapes'" in her luggage with the "narcotic drug cannabis oil."

"As a U.S. citizen was passing through the green channel at Sheremetyevo Airport upon arriving from New York, a working dog from the Sheremetyevo Customs canine department detected the possible presence of narcotic substances in the accompanying luggage," the Russian Federal Customs Service said in a statement, according to multiple reports. "The customs inspection of the hand luggage being carried by the U.S. citizen confirmed the presence of vapes with specifically-smelling liquid, and an expert determined that the liquid was cannabis oil (hash oil), which is a narcotic substance."

Griner, 31, was detained as a "preventive measure," Interfax said. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in a Russian prison, according to The Times.

Griner is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association. She also won gold while playing for the US women's national basketball team in 2021 and 2016. Griner was drafted as the number 1 overall pick in 2013 and is also an outspoken advocate on issues surrounding the LGBTQ+ community.

"We are aware of reports of a U.S. citizen arrested in Moscow," a State Department spokesperson told Insider. "Whenever a U.S. citizen is arrested overseas, we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular services." Shortly after news of Griner's detainment, the State Department issued a new advisory asking Americans to leave Russia immediately amid the Ukraine-Russian conflict.

The Phoenix Mercury released a statement saying it's "closely monitoring" the situation and remains in contact with her family and representation.

—Alex Simon (@AlexSimonSports) March 5, 2022

"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 statement continued.

According to The Times, Griner has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in Russia for several seasons during the WNBA's off-season.

—USA Basketball (@usabasketball) March 5, 2022

USA Basketball released a statement Saturday also saying it's monitoring the situation. Griner's "safety and wellbeing are our primary concerns," the statement said.

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