Watch: Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner detained in Russia after vapes found in luggage
Phoenix Mercury player and WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner has been jailed in Russia after vape cartridges were found in her luggage at a Moscow airport, according to multiple reports. A Russian news agency reported that Griner could spend 5 to 10 years in prison on drug smuggling charges, according to the New York Post. Credit: Federal Customs Service of Russia via Storyful
PHOENIX - Phoenix Mercury player and WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner has been jailed in Russia after vape cartridges were found in her luggage at a Moscow airport, according to multiple reports.
A Russian news agency reported that Griner could spend 5 to 10 years in prison on drug smuggling charges, according to the New York Post.
Reports say the Mercury player had been arrested after landing at Sheremetyevo Airport from a flight in New York back in February. A drug-sniffing dog reportedly detected "so-called ‘vapes…with a specific order," according to Russia's Interfax news agency.
Officials said that cannabis oil was found in the vapes, and Griner was reportedly detained as a "preventative measure."
The Phoenix Mercury released the following statement:
"We are aware of and are closely monitoring the situation with Brittney Griner in Russia. We remain in constant contact with her family, her representation, the WNBA and NBA. We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home."
Griner has been playing for the Mercury since 2013 and was part of the USA Olympic Women's team in 2016. She has been on the Russian team UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Euroleague during the offseason since 2015.
The basketball player has not posted on social media since Feb. 5.
Sheri Mills is visiting Phoenix from Chicago and says, "She’s just an athlete. She’s got a vape pen. That’s pretty common today I think. It’s totally politics."
WNBA fans are outraged after news broke that Griner was detained.
"It’s a little harsh," said Casey Rocke, also visiting from Chicago. "I mean it is harsh. I’m surprised that it’s going on."
Mills adds, "It’s crushing, actually. I think it’s clearly politics and I think that it’s a shame that our women basketball players are being held obviously for political reasons."
The Federal Customs Service of Russia released a surveillance video of Griner.
"Russian drug laws are very strict and so even though it might seem like only a little bit, the amount that she was bringing or is alleged to have brought, then it still could qualify under Russian law for being a significant amount," said Jacob Lassin, a postdoctoral research scholar at the Melikian Center at Arizona State.
Experts say the current Russian invasion of Ukraine could impact her case.
"Russia has dismissed the United States’ ambassador. Most embassy staff just isn’t there because of safety reasons because they’ve been forced out of the country, so it will make all of the things much more complicated," Lassin said.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 06: Brittney Griner #42 of the Phoenix Mercury during the first half in Game Four of the 2021 WNBA semifinals at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona.
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Phoenix Mercury's Brittney Griner jailed in Russia after vapes found in luggage: reports - FOX 10 News Phoenix
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