Jarred Shaw, an American basketball player, has been arrested in Indonesia and is now facing the death penalty after allegedly receiving a shipment of cannabis infused candy.
Shaw was apprehended on Wednesday, 7 May 2025, at 21:47 local time in an apartment located in Cisauk, Tangerang Regency, following a joint investigation between Soekarno-Hatta Airport Police and Customs and Excise authorities.
According to Police Commissioner Ronald FC Sipayung, the arrest was made in connection with a shipment originating from Thailand.
@kompastv.indonesiaPebasket asal Amerika Serikat, Jarred Dwayne Shaw, ditangkap jajaran Polresta Bandara Soekarno-Hatta terkait kasus narkoba. Ia terancam hukuman mati atau penjara seumur hidup. Jarred ditangkap usai menerima paket narkoba jenis Delta-9 THC di sebuah apartemen di wilayah Cisauk, Kabupaten Tangerang. Paket narkoba tersebut diracik dalam bentuk permen dan dikirim dari Bangkok, Thailand. Simak berita lainnya di www.kompas.tv! #VODKompasTV #TikTokBerita
The package, bearing airway bill number EE206616913TH and sent by an individual named Jitnarec Konchinda from Bangkok, contained 20 packs of ‘Vita Bite’ candy, amounting to 132 pieces and a gross weight of 869 grams.
Laboratory testing confirmed the candy contained Delta 9 THC, a Class I narcotic under Indonesian law.
Shaw allegedly did not include his name as the recipient of the package, which was addressed to someone identified only by the initials IM, but subsequent investigation traced the intended delivery to the American athlete.
Shaw reportedly admitted to police that he intended to distribute the cannabis-laced candy to fellow basketball players in Indonesia.
During his arrest, footage showed Shaw resisting police officers and shouting for help. He has since been named a suspect and is now in custody.
Faces Death Penalty; Team Terminates Contract
Jarred Shaw is being charged under multiple articles of Law Number 35 of 2009 on Narcotics, including Article 114(2), Article 113(2), and Article 112(2).
These provisions carry severe penalties, including death, life imprisonment, or a minimum of 6 years and up to 20 years in prison.
In response to the incident, Shaw’s team, the Tangerang Hawks, released an official statement terminating his contract due to violations of professional ethics and the club’s disciplinary code.
According to team manager Tikky Suwantikno, Shaw’s use of Delta 9 THC directly breached contractual provisions that prohibit the consumption of banned substances.
“We take this matter very seriously and deeply regret Jarred Shaw’s violation of the law,” said Suwantikno in a statement released via the official Indonesian Basketball League (IBL) platform on Friday, 16 May 2025.
The case has sparked renewed discussion on the strictness of Indonesian drug laws and the risks faced by foreigners unaware of the country’s zero tolerance policy.
