Wife of WNBA star Brittney Griner, 31, says they are desperately working to get her home after she was detained on arrival at Moscow airport three weeks ago with 'cannabis-filled vape pen': Fears grow Putin will use the athlete as a 'high-profile hostage'

"Brittney Griner, 31, who plays in the WNBA for the Phoenix Mercury was arrested last
month in Russia and charged with drug smuggling. A drug-sniffing dog was drawn to her luggage at the Sheremetyevo airport in Moscow, prompting Russian customs officials to inspect the bag. Officials found vape cartridges and Griner was charged with smuggling a 'significant amount' of drugs, a crime carrying a penalty of five to ten years. Griner remains in custody and the team said they are 'monitoring the situation'. Her wife, Cherelle Griner, said the situation is 'one of the weakest moments of my life' and issued her gratitude to everyone who has expressed concern and offered support. Congressman Sheila Lee, who represents Griner's hometown of Houston, has called on Putin to release the athlete, citing her American citizenship and concern for her safety. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department argued Putin will likely keep Griner as a 'high-profile hostage' and said: 'If we want her out of jail, Russia is going to have some terms'. The arrest comes as Russia is increasingly cut off from the rest of the world due to the country's invasion of Ukraine." DM