Brittney Griner, a seven-time WNBA All-Star and two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year, remains in Russian custody after being detained in February at Sheremetyevo International Airport. The Russian Federal Customs Service claims to have found vape cartridges containing the marijuana concentrate hashish oil in Griner’s luggage.
Griner, 31, is under criminal investigation for “large-scale transportation of drugs, an offense that can carry a sentence of up to 10 years behind bars in Russia,” according to The New York Times. The Phoenix Mercury, Griner’s WNBA team, and the WNBPA both issued their support.
Video of Griner attempting to pass through airport screening emerged from Russian customs on March 5, but the service didn’t identify the former Baylor star by name. The Russian news agency TASS then confirmed it was Griner, and Russian state TV released an undated photo of her at a police station later that day. The two-time Olympic gold medallist was reportedly detained on Feb. 17.
According to a report from Russian state news agency TASS on March 17, a Moscow court has extended her detention until May 19. The court also denied Griner’s request for house arrest, according to Insider. Griner, who is 6-9, has complained about the jail cell’s beds being too small for her, per the TASS report. She shares the cell with two other English-speaking inmates.
Credit: CBS Sports
