American Basketball Player Detained in Indonesia Over Cannabis Candy Could Face Death Penalty

Jarred Shaw, a prominent 34-year-old basketball player in the Indonesian Basketball League, has been arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle illegal drugs into Indonesia, authorities announced on Thursday.

The arrest comes as Indonesia continues to enforce some of the world’s strictest drug laws. If found guilty, Shaw could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty, as the country has executed convicted smugglers in the past.

According to Ronald Sipayung, police chief at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, officers raided Shaw’s apartment just outside Jakarta and seized 132 pieces of cannabis-infused candy. The operation was initiated following a tip from airport customs officials, who flagged a suspicious airway package that Shaw had received from Thailand. While cannabis is decriminalized in Thailand, it remains illegal under Indonesian law.

Sipayung stated that Shaw told investigators he intended to share the candy with his basketball teammates. "We are still running the investigation to uncover the international drugs network behind this case and to stop its distribution," Sipayung added.

Shaw appeared at a police news conference on Wednesday, dressed in an orange T-shirt and mask, with his hands tied.

Shaw, originally from Dallas, Texas, has played for several teams in the Indonesian Basketball League since 2022, including signing with the Tangerang Hawks last year. However, according to Hawks manager Tikky Suwantikno, the team immediately terminated Shaw's contract due to breach of contract following his arrest. The league has also issued a ban prohibiting Shaw from further participation.

"We don't tolerate players, administrators or anyone in the field involved in drugs," said Indonesian Basketball League Chair Budisatrio Djiwandono. "There is no room for drug users in the basketball world."

Indonesia currently holds nearly 530 individuals on death row, Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data shows, with most cases related to drug offenses. Of these, 96 are foreign nationals. The country's last executions occurred in July 2016, involving one Indonesian and three foreign citizens.

Before coming to Indonesia, Shaw played college basketball at both Oklahoma State and Utah State. With Utah State, the 6-foot-10 forward averaged 14.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game across 58 contests, appearing for over 28 minutes per match.

The investigation into Shaw's case is ongoing as authorities seek to dismantle any wider drug trafficking networks implicated in the incident.