American Basketball Player Arrested in Indonesia for Alleged Drug Smuggling, Faces Possible Death Penalty
An American athlete playing professional basketball in Indonesia has been taken into custody for allegedly trying to smuggle illegal drugs into the country, police confirmed on Thursday.
Indonesia enforces some of the world’s harshest drug laws, with smuggling convictions potentially punishable by death, typically carried out by firing squad.
Jarred Dwayne Shaw, a 34-year-old from Dallas, Texas, was arrested on May 7 after law enforcement officers raided his apartment in Tangerang regency, near Jakarta. During the operation, police confiscated 132 cannabis-infused candies, according to Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police Chief Ronald Sipayung.
Authorities were alerted following a tip-off from airport customs officials, who flagged a suspicious shipment sent from Thailand to Shaw. Thailand decriminalized cannabis in November 2024, but Indonesia maintains strict prohibition. Under Indonesian law, Shaw could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted, Sipayung said.
A video that has surfaced on social media appears to show Shaw resisting arrest, wearing a black T-shirt and shorts, shouting “Help … help!” as officers tried to detain him.
Shaw has played in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) since 2022 and most recently signed with the Tangerang Hawks. During police questioning, he allegedly admitted that he intended to share the cannabis candies with other basketball players, Sipayung added.
The seized package reportedly contained 869 grams (30.6 ounces) of a banned cannabinoid compound.
“We are continuing the investigation to trace the international drug trafficking network involved in this case and to prevent further distribution,” Sipayung said.
Shaw remained silent when presented to the media during a police press conference on Wednesday. He was dressed in an orange prison uniform, wore a mask, and had his hands restrained.
The Tangerang Hawks immediately terminated Shaw’s contract following the incident. Club manager Tikky Suwantikno told reporters on Thursday that they deeply regretted his actions and that his conduct had violated team rules.
The IBL has imposed a lifetime ban on Shaw. League chairman Budisatrio Djiwandono stated, “We uphold a zero-tolerance policy on drug use. There is absolutely no place for drugs in professional basketball—whether among players, officials, or staff.”
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, despite Indonesia’s tough anti-drug stance, the country remains a key transit point for international drug smuggling operations, often targeting its large youth demographic.
Current government data shows around 530 people are on death row in Indonesia for drug offenses, including 96 foreign nationals. The most recent executions, involving one Indonesian and three foreigners, occurred in July 2016.
