Russia arrests US basketball star at airport

AN American women’s basketball star has been detained in Moscow after a search of her luggage allegedly revealed vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

Double Olympic champion Brittney Griner, 31, was arrested at Sheremetyevo airport after arriving on a flight from New York last month and remains in custody.

She was stopped by officers after a sniffer dog “indicated the possible presence of narcotic drugs in her baggage,” Russia’s Federal Customs Service said.

It added that the cartridges were identified as containing oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

“We are aware of the situation with Brittney Griner and are in close contact with her,” Ms Griner’s agent said.

Yesterday the US State Department issued a “do not travel” advisory for

Russia and urged all US citizens to depart immediately, citing “the potential for harassment”.

Mr Griner, who plays for the Phoenix Mercury, has appeared in Russia for the past seven years in the winter, earning in excess of $1 million (£760,000) 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 twoweek break.