JAKARTA, Indonesia (CNN Newsource/CNN Indonesia/WKRC) — Former American college basketball player Jarred Shaw is facing serious drug charges in Indonesia, which could lead to a life sentence or even the death penalty if convicted.
Shaw, a 34-year-old Dallas native who was playing for the Tangerang Hawks, was arrested in Jakarta on May 7. Shaw had been playing in Indonesia since 2022, according to The Independent.
Authorities accused Shaw of attempting to smuggle drugs into the country. During a search of his apartment, police allegedly discovered more than 100 pieces of Delta-9 THC cannabis candies. Officials reported that a package containing the candies was sent from Thailand to Shaw’s apartment.
Ronald Sipayung, the Soekarno-Hatta Airport police chief, said Shaw told police that he planned on sharing the cannabis candy with his teammates.
“We’re still running the investigation to uncover the international drug network behind this case and to stop its distribution,” Sipayung said.
The chairman of the Indonesian Basketball Association emphasized the organization’s strict stance against drug use in basketball, stating, “It does not tolerate drug use in basketball.”
In response to the charges, Shaw’s team announced that his contract has been terminated.
Before his time in Indonesia, Shaw played college basketball in the United States at Oklahoma State and Utah State.
According to CNN, roughly 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners.