On May 7, 2025, authorities in Tangerang Regency, near Jakarta, Indonesia, arrested Jarred Dwayne Shaw, a 34-year-old American basketball player from Dallas, Texas, on suspicion of drug smuggling.
Police raided Shaw’s apartment after receiving a tip about a suspicious package from Thailand, where cannabis has been decriminalised since November 2024. During the search, officers seized 132 pieces of cannabis-infused candies labelled ‘Vita Bite,’ containing a total of 869 grams of Delta 9 THC. Shaw, who played for the Tangerang Hawks in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL), reportedly admitted ordering the candies for personal use and sharing with fellow players.
Momen Penangkapan Pebasket AS Jarred Shaw Terkait Ganja di Tangerang
Polisi juga mengungkap bahwa ada rencana untuk mengirim permen narkoba dari Thailand itu dalam jumlah besar. Atas perbuatannya, Jarred Shaw dijerat dengan pasal berlapis dan terancam hukuman mati. pic.twitter.com/ZFBVBpLC7I
— detikcom (@detikcom) May 15, 2025Indonesia’s strict anti-drug laws impose harsh penalties, with Shaw facing up to life imprisonment or the death penalty if convicted. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime notes Indonesia’s role as a drug-smuggling hub, with over 530 individuals, including 96 foreigners, on death row for drug offences. The country’s last executions occurred in July 2016.
The IBL imposed a lifetime ban on Shaw, and the Tangerang Hawks terminated his contract for breaching terms. “We don’t tolerate drug use in basketball,” said Budisatrio Djiwandono, IBL chairman. Hawks manager Tikky Suwantikno expressed regret over the incident.
Jarred Shaw, a Dallas native and basketball player in Indonesia, could face death penalty over cannabis candy. https://t.co/cmz0TO9EYI
— CBS News (@CBSNews) May 15, 2025Shaw, a former Oklahoma State and Utah State college player, played in the NBA G-League and joined the IBL in 2022. He reportedly saw a market for cannabis candies among athletes, per police statements. A video on X showed Shaw resisting arrest and shouting for help. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover an international drug network.
