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Last month seven-time WNBA All-Star player Brittney Griner was arrested by Russian officials at the Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow. She remains in custody in Russia as Putin wages war in Ukraine.  Griner, 31, is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association.  She also won gold in 2016 and 2021 playing for the US women's national basketball team. And has been a star since 2013 when she was ranked the number 1 draft pick.

Level 4 travel advisory 

On February 28th the State Department issued a Level 4 “do not travel” advisory for Russia.  Due to the “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine." And they requested that all “U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Russia should depart immediately.”  A WNBA spokesperson announced that all other players in Ukraine and Russia have safely left those countries.

Brittney Griner arrest 

According to Russian Interfax news agency customs officials said a drug-sniffing dog uncovered “vapes” in Britney Griner’s luggage. "As a U.S. citizen was passing through the green channel at Sheremetyevo Airport upon arriving from New York, a working dog from the Sheremetyevo Customs canine department detected the possible presence of narcotic substances in the accompanying luggage," Russian Federal Customs Service announced.  "The customs inspection of the hand luggage being carried by the U.S. citizen confirmed the presence of vapes with specifically-smelling liquid, and an expert determined that the liquid was cannabis oil (hash oil), which is a narcotic substance," Russian Customs claims. Her detention at the airport was supposedly when she arrived in Russia from New York. Similar drug charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in Russian prison, according to The Times.

WNBA and State Dept. respond

"We are aware of reports of a U.S. citizen arrested in Moscow," a State Department spokesperson said. "Whenever a U.S. citizen is arrested overseas, we stand ready to provide all appropriate consular services." The Phoenix Mercury, Griner's WNBA team, released a statement saying they were "closely monitoring" the situation and remain in contact with the star's family and representation. "We love and support Brittney and at this time our main concern is her safety, physical and mental health, and her safe return home," the team continued. The WNBA league itself offered Griner "the WNBA's full support" and called on Russia for "her swift and safe return to the United States."