This story makes me sick to my stomach. An American basketball player, Jarred Dwayne Shaw, 34, from Dallas, Texas, has been playing professional in Indonesia since 2022 could potentially face a firing squad according to the Associated Press. This is in response to Shaw receiving a package of 132 pieces of Delta 9 THC-infused candy from Thailand.
Shaw was arrested May 7 in his apartment just outside of Jakarta. After being interrogated police said Shaw told them he intended to share the cannabis candies with his teammates. Unfortunately, drug laws in Indonesia and other parts of the world are extremely strict.
In the U.S. these candies probably would be legal depending on the state and at worse get you a fine. But in Indonesia it can land you in prison for life or worse the death penalty. In fact, I just went through some of my old photos of immigration cards that flight attendants hand you to fill out and it clearly states the warning “Death penalty for drug traffickers under Indonesian law.” See screenshot above.
Same goes for neighboring Singapore. See screenshot above. Although I don’t do drugs, every time I hear the flight crew make that announcement it makes me do a gulp because I get worried about someone planting something on me. Fortunately, every time I’ve gone to these countries – especially Singapore, I feel safer there than in the USA.
Shaw played for Oklahoma State and Utah State in college. He wasn’t drafted for the NBA but he played for professional teams around the world according to his Wikipedia page. Countries included: Turkey, United States, Argentina, Tunisia, Thailand, Japan, Uruguay, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and Indonesia.
Atlet basket asal Amerika Serikat (AS) Jarred Dwayne Shaw (34) menyelundupkan narkoba mengandung ganja yang dikemas menyerupai permen.
Untuk mengelabui petugas Bea Cukai, Jarred memilih sendiri kemasan narkotika itu seolah seperti kemasan vitamin.
~J #Narkoba #Basket #Atlet… pic.twitter.com/OupyOLyqkG
— Kompas.com (@kompascom) May 15, 2025
Shaw did not speak at a news conference on Wednesday but he was wearing an orange detainee T-shirt a mask and his hands were tied. See local news video embedded above which include the moment he was about to be arrested and he was screaming a haunting “Help … help!”
This immediately reminded me of WNBA star Brittney Griner’s ordeal in Russia. I wrote a post titled “What Travelers Can Learn from Brittney Griner’s Sentencing in Russia.” Basically, always do your research on the places you’re traveling to, from and through before crossing any borders. Let’s just hope and pray Shaw has the same positive outcome as Griner and others will learn from his mistake.
Wow! And you think he should get a pass for this? I’m another of the many who have no sympathy for him or Griner. She cost us to give up one dangerous man by her willful violation.
Why don’t people just learn to obey the laws of the land they visit? Don’t force your liberal values upon them.
why don’t these people learn.
When you think you are above the law because you are famous, the law can quickly change your mind. NOBODY who lives in Indonesia does not know this, NOBODY! He just assumed that as an American athlete the law did not apply to him, same as Griner. Might be a very tough lesson to learn! Sucks to be him!
The fellow had lived in Indonesia for three years. He should have known it’s laws by then. If he had any doubt, he made more $$$ than most of us in many years ( just dropping a ball into an elevated round piece of metal ); he should have contacted a lawyer of that country before making such a foolish mistake. I wonder how many tens of thousands of Americans would be alive today if our drug suppliers & distributors were hung / shot / electrocuted / sucking on nitrogen gas ( instead of oxygen gas ). In the 1800s, you steal a man’s horse or commit cattle rustling — you hang. Bottom line: no sympathy from me.