Lakers center Deandre Ayton detained, released at Bahamas airport over suspected marijuana possession

Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton was detained at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas on Tuesday on suspicion of possessing a small amount of marijuana and was quickly released. According to Reuters.

Ayton would be returning to the United States from his native Bahamas as the All-Star break draws to a close.

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In the first report from TMZThe central unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force claimed that Ayton was wanted after he was seen smoking marijuana at the airport. Reuters also reported that Ayton was found with drugs that are still illegal in the Bahamas.

But his lawyer, Devard Francis, said via Reuters that the suspected marijuana was actually in someone else’s bag and Ayton was never arrested or charged:

“Investigators found that a very small amount of marijuana was not actually in Deandre’s bag, but they continued their investigation and Deandre was quickly released,” Francis said.

Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick, is in his first season with the Lakers and signed a two-year, $16.6 million deal with the Lakers. He entered the All-Star break averaging 13.2 points on 67.5% shooting and 8.5 rebounds per game.