The Russian Customs Service said Saturday that the cartridges were identified as containing oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The customs service identified the person arrested as a player for the U.S. women's team and did not specify the date of her arrest. Russian media reported the player was Griner, and her agent, Lindsay Kagawa Colas, did not dispute those reports.
“We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia and are in close contact with her, her legal representation in Russia, her family, her teams, and the WNBA and NBA,” Kagawa Colas said Saturday. “As this is an ongoing legal matter, we are not able to comment further on the specifics of her case but can confirm that as we work to get her home, her mental and physical health remain our primary concern.
On Saturday, the State Department issued a “do not travel” advisory for Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine and urged all U.S. citizens to depart immediately, citing factors including “the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens by Russian government security officials” and “the Embassy’s limited ability to assist” Americans in Russia.
Griner, who plays for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury, has played in Russia for the last seven years in the winter, earning over $1 million per season — more than quadruple her WNBA salary. She last played for her Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg on Jan. 29 before the league took a two-week break in early February for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournaments.
More than a dozen WNBA players were playing in Russia and Ukraine this winter, including league MVP Jonquel Jones and Courtney Vandersloot and Allie Quigley of the champion Chicago Sky. The WNBA confirmed Saturday that all players besides Griner had left both countries.The 31-year-old Griner has won two Olympic gold medals with the U.S., a WNBA championship with the Mercury and a national championship at Baylor. She is a seven-time All-Star.
I bet she will be the best player in the RPL..Russian Prison League.
NO TRANS IN SPORTS!
Is it illegal to have vapes in Russia. Then she clearly belongs in jail. Many countries will give you a death sentence for this. Why is this controversial?
Pay her more money.
Maybe it was her grandfathers vape that mixed into her luggage.
I thought they canceled the wnba. Folded years ago.
They were alllll told to get out...
Ppl forget legal on your own country doesn't mean you can do the same in others
This world is jokes man. All drug laws to be done away with. I mean arrested for cannabis. I don't use anything but people who do should have the choice to do what they want. Sucks to be arrested in Russia now too.
Put her ass in Russian jail
Gulag it is.
If was me I would quit playing/working there and get my ass back home.
But they tout stay in school and don't do drugs eh 😏😏🙄🙄🤪
And this is how the USA will get pulled into WWIII
Why can't black athletes stay out of trouble ?
smart guy...
What a great time to travel to Russia? 🤔
Ironically, the same people who celebrated over another pro athlete being mistreated by Australian tyrants will cry over this.
What The hell was she in Russia for.
Same pattern, Russia, China, Iran
Out of all the places in the world…u decide to bring weed to Putin Russia..?!.. in the middle of a potential 3rd WW 😳
For a vape cartridge lol what a joke
Okay, which KGB agent planted them?
Such BS
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