Former Utah State Star Arrested After Cannabis Candy Package From Thailand
American basketball player Jarred Dwayne Shaw, 34, has been arrested in Indonesia for allegedly smuggling cannabis-infused candy into the country. Shaw, who previously played for Utah State University and most recently for the Tangerang Hawks in the Indonesian Basketball League (IBL), was detained on May 7 after police raided his apartment in Tangerang regency, outside Jakarta.
Indonesian authorities seized 132 pieces of cannabis candy weighing 869 grams (30.6 ounces), following a tip from customs agents at Soekarno-Hatta Airport about a suspicious package arriving from Thailand. Cannabis has been decriminalized in Thailand since November 2024, but remains strictly illegal in Indonesia, where drug trafficking can lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Social Media Footage and Police Allegations
A video circulating online showed Shaw, wearing a black T-shirt and shorts, resisting arrest and shouting “Help… help!” as officers detained him. According to airport police chief Ronald Sipayung, Shaw admitted he intended to share the cannabis edibles with teammates.
“We are still running the investigation to uncover the international drugs network behind this case,” Sipayung said. Authorities believe Shaw may be connected to a broader trafficking ring targeting Indonesia’s youth population.
IBL and Club Take Swift Action
The Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) issued a lifetime ban against Shaw, with league chairman Budisatrio Djiwandono stating: “There is no room for drug users in the basketball world.”
The Tangerang Hawks immediately terminated Shaw’s contract, citing a breach of ethics and team regulations. Team manager Tikky Suwantikno told local media, “We regret what he has done and do not tolerate any drug-related misconduct.”
Indonesia’s Harsh Drug Laws and Foreign Nationals
Indonesia is known for some of the toughest anti-drug laws in the world. Possession, smuggling, or distribution of drugs can result in long prison terms or capital punishment. The last execution for drug offenses was carried out in 2016, but the law remains active.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), there are over 530 people on death row in Indonesia for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreign nationals.
Conclusion
As of now, Shaw has made no public statement. He was presented to the press on Wednesday wearing a detainee’s orange shirt, a face mask, and with his hands bound. If convicted under Indonesia’s anti-narcotics law, the former college basketball star could spend life behind bars—or worse, face execution.
This case not only highlights the severe consequences of drug offenses in Southeast Asia but also serves as a cautionary tale for Americans living or traveling abroad.
Short URL: https://bit.ly/jarredshaw-indonesia
