INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
basketball star Brittney Griner, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA champion, has been detained in Moscow on charges of carrying vape
cartridges that contained cannabis oil in her luggage.A statement on Saturday from the Russian Federal Customs Service announcing her arrest
in custody, with the customs service saying only that the arrest occurred "in February."According to the statement, an inspection of hand
citizen who arrived on a flight from New York "confirmed the presence of 'vapes' (and) a liquid with a specific smell."It said an expert had
determined that the liquid was the narcotic cannabis oil (hashish oil) and said the charges carry a potential jail term of five to 10
years.The statement did not identify the jailed woman but said she was a two-time Olympic basketball champion for the United States and a
player in the WNBA.The customs service also released a video on Saturday in which airport security services are seen going through the
luggage of a passenger who appears to be Griner.USA Basketball, which oversees the Olympic teams, said on Twitter that it was "aware of and
professionalism during her long tenure with USA Basketball and her safety and well-being are our primary concerns."Griner's agent, Lindsay
Kagawa Colas of Wasserman Group, said in a statement issued to U.S
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."Griner, 31, led the Phoenix Mercury to the franchise's third WNBA title in 2014 and a surprise return to the
WNBA finals in October.The 6-foot-9 (2.06m) center has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA offseason since 2015, helping the club
to three Russian domestic titles and EuroLeague Women championships in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021.Griner is among a majority of the 144
players on WNBA rosters who have played overseas in the North American league's offseason.Earnings at European clubs can far outstrip what
players make in the United States
Griner has reportedly made as much as $1 million a year with UMMC, while the WNBA maximum is about $228,000.A WNBA spokeswoman told the New
neighboring country.The Mercury, the WNBA and the WNBA Players Association all issued statements supporting Griner, the WNBA saying she had
the league's full support and our main priority is her swift and safe return to the United States."The Mercury added: "We love and support
Brittney, and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home."
