Lakers center Deandre Ayton was briefly detained at an airport in the Bahamas over a small amount of marijuana found in another person's bag, but was quickly released after authorities determined it was not his.
Los Angeles Lakers starting center Deandre Ayton was briefly detained Tuesday at an airport in the Bahamas over suspicion of possessing a "very small amount of marijuana," according to Ayton's lawyer, Devard Francis.
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton
Deandre Ayton
MIN: 28.24
PTS: 13.24 (67%)
REB: 8.46
AS: 0.89
ST: 0.65
BL: 0.96
TO: 1.37
GM: 46
Ayton, who represents the Bahamas internationally, was stopped at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau.
According to Francis, the marijuana was found in another individual's bag. After a short investigation, authorities determined it did not belong to Ayton and released him shortly afterward.
"The investigators saw that the actual very small amount of marijuana wasn't in Deandre's bag, but they still went through their investigations, and he was released expeditiously," Francis told Reuters in a statement.
Credit IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect - Scanpix
Under the NBA's latest collective bargaining agreement (CBA), players are no longer tested for marijuana, and it has been removed from the league's list of banned substances. However, marijuana remains illegal in the Bahamas.
Ayton, 27, is playing his first season with the Lakers. The team resumes action on Friday following the All-Star break with a home game against the LA Clippers.
Through this season, Ayton is averaging 13.2 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
The former number one draft pick signed a two-year contract with the Lakers last offseason.
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