American Basketball Player Arrested in Indonesia for Marijuana Candies, Faces Possible Death Penalty

Jarred Shaw.

According to Indonesian authorities, customs officials at Soekarno-Hatta Airport intercepted 20 packages containing the illicit candies. Shaw was arrested shortly after at his apartment in BSD City. Police say he admitted to purchasing the products through a contact in Thailand and intended to distribute them to other athletes.

“He was testing the product, and if it proved successful, he planned to place additional orders,” said police officer Michael Tandayu. “He identified a market opportunity among his fellow basketball players, but the authorities intervened before he could distribute the drugs.” Shaw told investigators he primarily used the cannabis candies to relax after training sessions.

The Indonesian Basketball Association issued a statement strongly condemning the incident. “We have zero tolerance for drug use in basketball—whether by players, officials, or staff,” said Chairman Budisatrio Djiwandono.

Shaw is now facing serious legal consequences under Indonesia’s strict narcotics laws, which classify marijuana as a Class I drug. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty.