American basketball star Brittney Griner found guilty of drug charges in Russia

WNBA star Brittney Griner was convicted in a Russian court of drug trafficking with criminal intent in February and was sentenced to nine years in prison

She was charged with flying into Moscow on February 17 carrying 702 grams of cannabis oil (

Image: Reuters)

Basketball star Brittney Griner has been found guilty of drug charges in Russia.

She was sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of smuggling 702 grams of cannabis oil with criminal intent in February.

The 31-year-old confessed to packing "too quickly", accidentally packing vape cartridges containing the substance in her luggage.

A few months after her arrest, she pleaded guilty to drug-related charges although she said she had no intention of breaking any laws.

The verdict came amid fears she could be used as a political pawn as Russia struggles under widespread sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine.

The sports star was sentenced to nine years in prison (

Picture:

REUTERS)

The top athlete was also fined one million rubles (around £15,000) by the court.

She will serve her sentence in a penal colony, a colony used to exile prisoners and separate them from the general population by placing them in a remote location.

Ms Griner apologized to her team and family before the verdict was delivered.

She told the court, "I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, my fans for the mistake I made and the embarrassment I caused them.