Brittney Griner: Russia arrested US pro on drug charges three weeks ago, fans ask ‘why are we only now hearing about it?’
- The case comes to light amid the backdrop of Russia’s attack on Ukraine and deteriorating relations with the United States
- Russian customs confirms an American basketball player was taken into custody for carrying vape cartridges containing hashish oil in her luggage
High-profile personalities have taken to Twitter to express shock at the arrest of American women’s basketball pro Brittney Gringer for alleged drug smuggling, horrified at the fact that the case was kept under wraps for three weeks.
Amid the backdrop of Russia’s attack on Ukraine and deteriorating ties with the United States, reports say the Phoenix Mercury centre was detained at a Moscow airport. The Russian Federal Customs Service confirmed that an American basketball player was taken into custody after authorities found vape cartridges that contained hashish oil in her luggage at Sheremetyevo Airport in February.
The Russian news agency TASS, citing a law enforcement source, identified the player as Griner.
“I can’t believe Brittney Griner has been in Russian custody for 3 weeks and the news is just now breaking here,” wrote feminist activist Roxane Gay, who has 874,000 followers on Twitter. “What a nightmare scenario. I cannot even imagine what she must be feeling rn.”
Damien Woody, a former NFL player who won two Super Bowl titles with the New England Patriots, wrote to his 149,000 followers: “Brittney Griner has been detained for 3 weeks and we’re just hearing about it?”