Former US Basketball Player Jarred Shaw Arrested in Indonesia

Jarred Shaw, a former college basketball player, is facing the possibility of the death penalty in Indonesia after his arrest on Thursday for allegedly smuggling cannabis-infused candy.

The 34-year-old had a brief career in the NBA’s G-League following his time at Oklahoma and Utah.

Known for its stringent drug policies, Indonesia sometimes imposes capital punishment on those convicted of drug smuggling.

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Shaw was taken into custody on May 7 after law enforcement raided an apartment in Tangerang Regency, near Jakarta.

Authorities found 132 cannabis candies, according to Ronald Sipayung, Chief of the Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police. Sipayung mentioned the arrest stemmed from intelligence that Shaw had received a suspicious package from Thailand, where cannabis was decriminalized in November 2024. Shaw could be facing life in prison or even death if convicted under Indonesia’s anti-drug laws, he noted.

Videos shared on social media reportedly show Shaw, dressed in a black T-shirt and shorts, resisting arrest while crying out for help.

The seized candy contained a total of 30.6 ounces of illegal cannabinoids. The package, identified as “Vitabyte,” was sent from Bangkok to the Casa de Parco apartment where Shaw resides, according to Sipayung.

Since 2022, Shaw has played for various teams in the Indonesian Basketball League and joined the Tangerang Hawks last year.

During police questioning, he allegedly stated his intent to share the cannabis candies with teammates.

Following his arrest, Shaw was banned for life from the Indonesian Basketball League and released from the Hawks.

Indonesia last carried out executions in July 2016, involving Indonesian nationals and three foreigners. Currently, there are 96 foreign inmates on death row in the country.