According to a storey in the New York Times on Saturday, WNBA player Brittney Griner is being held in Russia after customs officers discovered hashish oil in her luggage at an airport near Moscow in February.
The Russian Federal Customs Service said on Saturday that it inspected luggage thought to belong to Griner and discovered vape cartridges containing cannabis-derived oil, a violation punishable by up to ten years in jail. While Griner’s name was not revealed, the customs agency recognised the detained individual as a member of the United States women’s team but did not indicate the date of her detention.
A video of a guy who looks to be the 6-foot-9 Griner walking through airport security was published by the customs agency.
“We are aware of Brittney Griner’s position in Russia and are in frequent touch with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA,” Griner’s agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, said in a statement to ESPN on Saturday. “We are unable to comment further on the facts of her case due to the continuing legal situation, but we can state that as we try to bring her home, her mental and physical health remains our first priority.”
On Jan. 23, the State Department issued a “do not travel” warning for Russia, citing “the potential for harassment against US citizens, the embassy’s limited ability to assist US citizens in Russia, COVID-19 and related entry restrictions, terrorism, harassment by Russian government security officials, and the arbitrary enforcement of local law.”
On Saturday, nine days after Russia started its armed invasion of Ukraine, another “do not travel” advise was issued.
On February 27, the US embassy in Moscow issued a security notice, stating, “Many nations have blocked their airspace to Russian planes, and an increasing number of airlines are cancelling flights into and out of Russia. Citizens of the United States should contemplate leaving Russia as soon as possible using commercial means that are still accessible.”
In the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine, WNBA players in Russia have been fleeing the nation for the past week. Except for Griner, all of the WNBA’s players who competed in Russia or Ukraine this winter have since left those countries, according to a WNBA representative.
“We are aware of the issue in Russia with Brittney Griner, one of our members. The safety and well-being of BG is our top priority “On Saturday, the WNBA players’ union sent a statement to ESPN. “We express our love and support on behalf of The 144. We will continue to keep a careful eye on her situation and eagerly await her return to the United States.”
Griner’s wife, Cherelle, thanked people for their “prayers and support” through what she termed “one of the lowest times of my life” in an Instagram post on Saturday night.
She replied, “Thank you to everyone who has contacted me on my wife’s safe return from Russia.” “Thank you so much for your prayers and support.”
Griner, 31, has spent the winter months playing overseas, most recently in Russia, like many other WNBA players.
“Brittney Griner has the WNBA’s full support, and her fast and safe return to the United States is our top concern,” the league stated in a statement to ESPN.
Griner spent nine seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, who were defeated by Chicago in the WNBA Finals in October. In 2014, she won a championship with the Mercury, and in 2016 and 2021, she won gold medals with the United States at the Olympics.
“During her long employment with USA Basketball, Brittney has always conducted herself with the highest professionalism, and her safety and well-being are our major concerns,” USA Basketball said in a statement.
The WNBA’s Mercury claimed they were in “continuous touch” with Griner’s family, her agent, and the WNBA and NBA.
“We love and support Brittney, and our primary concern at this time is her physical and emotional well, as well as her safe return home,” the Mercury stated in a statement on Saturday.
Mike Cound, a long-time women’s basketball agent, told ESPN on Feb. 27 that players in Russia were trying hard to get out of the country.
“It’s gone past ‘thinking’ leaving for me,” Cound stated at the time. “In the last few minutes, I’ve been on the phone with two players, sorting out flights. It’s critical today since the number of flights leaving Russia is reducing, and they’ll be difficult to get in the near future.”
Mechelle Voepel
Basketball player Brittney Griner reportedly detained in Russia; WNBA, representatives working ‘to get her home’