Lakers center deandre ayton detained, released at Bahamas airport over suspected marijuana possession
Los Angeles Lakers center deandre ayton was briefly detained and released on Tuesday (ET) at Lynden Pindling International Airport in the Bahamas after authorities suspected he possessed a small amount of marijuana. The incident occurred as Ayton was returning to the United States from his native Bahamas with the All-Star break drawing to a close.
What authorities say happened at the airport
Bahamas police say officers searched Ayton after he was observed smoking marijuana in the airport. Officers say a small amount of the substance was found during the search; marijuana remains illegal under Bahamian law. Authorities processed the situation on site and released Ayton that same day.
The search and brief detention took place amid routine security operations at Lynden Pindling International Airport. Local law enforcement handled the matter locally, and there was no indication that Ayton faced formal charges or was required to remain in custody.
Lawyer's statement and Ayton's legal standing
Ayton's legal representative, Devard Francis, maintains the suspected marijuana was found in someone else's bag and emphasized that Ayton was never arrested or charged. "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 said.
At this stage, the matter appears to be limited to a short on-site investigation and release. There is no public record of any pending legal action stemming from the incident, and Ayton is not listed as facing criminal charges relating to the airport stop.
Timing, team context and potential implications
Ayton, the former No. 1 overall pick, is in his first season with the Lakers under a two-year, $16. 6 million contract. He entered the All-Star break averaging 13. 2 points per game on 67. 5% shooting, along with a team-high 8. 5 rebounds. The timing of this incident — during a brief return home over the All-Star break — means the Lakers are likely to treat the issue as a personal matter unless new legal developments emerge.
From a team perspective, the immediate impact is minimal: Ayton was released quickly, and there is no indication of team disciplinary action at this time. Still, any off-court incident can attract attention and could prompt internal review by team officials, particularly given the visibility that comes with a high-profile roster spot and his role in the frontcourt rotation.
For Ayton, the priority will be to clarify the circumstances and avoid distractions as the Lakers resume their season schedule. The player and his representatives have framed the encounter as resolved at the airport, while Bahamian authorities handled the matter under local law.
As things stand, this is a localized incident that was addressed promptly by law enforcement and resolved without charges. Observers will watch for any follow-up from local prosecutors or additional statements from Ayton and his legal team, but the immediate fallout appears limited as the Lakers prepare to move past the All-Star break.
