American basketball player Jarred Dwayne Shaw has been arrested in Indonesia on suspicion of drug smuggling and could face the death penalty if convicted.
The 34-year-old Dallas native, who played in the Indonesian Basketball League since 2022, was taken into custody on May 7 after police raided his apartment in Tangerang, near Jakarta, CNN reports.
Officers reportedly seized 132 pieces of cannabis-infused candy, according to Soekarno-Hatta Airport police chief Ronald Sipayung. During interrogation, Shaw allegedly told police he intended to share the edibles with fellow basketball players. Authorities said the total weight of the illegal cannabinoid products was 869 grams, or roughly 30.6 ounces.
The arrest was prompted by a tip from airport customs after Shaw reportedly received a suspicious package from Thailand, where cannabis was decriminalized in late 2024. Despite that, Indonesia has maintained harsh drug laws, including capital punishment for drug trafficking offenses.
A video circulating online appears to show Shaw, dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts, resisting arrest and yelling, “Help… help!” as officers restrained him.
The now-former athlete had signed with the Tangerang Hawks in 2023. The club’s manager, Tikky Suwantikno, confirmed Thursday (May 15) that Shaw had been fired immediately, citing breach of contract. “We regret what has been done by Shaw,” Suwantikno told the outlet.
The Indonesian Basketball League has also issued a lifetime ban. “We don’t tolerate players, administrators, or anyone in the field involved in drugs. There is no room for drug users in the basketball world,” said league chair Budisatrio Djiwandono.
Shaw made no public statement when presented at a press conference Wednesday, where he appeared in an orange detainee shirt, wearing a mask with his hands bound.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing, as they work to trace the international drug network behind Shaw’s shipment.
Before taking his talents overseas, Shaw played college ball at Oklahoma State and Utah State, followed by runs in the NBA G League and several international leagues. His career abroad had brought him success and stability—until now.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Indonesia is a key drug trafficking hub, despite its strict laws. Over 500 people—nearly 100 of them foreigners—currently sit on death row in the country, primarily for drug-related convictions.
If convicted, Shaw faces up to life in prison or the death penalty.
Jarred Shaw, 34, is facing life in prison or the death penalty after police say he attempted to bring cannabis edibles into the country. Read More
